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Maria W Stewart
As one of the first Black women to speak publicly about abolition and women's rights, Stewart challenged both racism and sexism in America. In her speech Why Sit Here and Die?, she urged Black people to seek education, independence, and self respect despite what they faced. She paved the way for future Black women activists and writers who fought for equality. -
Why Sit Here And Die?
Maria W Stewart -
Lynching in the south
After Reconstruction, people in the south used lynching to terrorize Black Americans and maintain racial control. Thousands of Black men, women, and children were lynched, often based on false accusations. Ida B Wells and other activists worked to expose these brutal killings, sparking early civil rights advocacy -
Frederick Douglass
A former enslaved man who became one of the most influential voices against slavery, Douglass wrote powerful texts and gave speeches that exposed the cruelty of slavery. He worked closely with abolitionists, advised President Lincoln, and fought for Black rights even after slavery was abolished. -
What to the slave is the 4th of july?
Author: Frederick Douglass -
Abraham Lincoln
As the 16th president of the United States, Lincoln led the country through the Civil War and played a key role in ending slavery. His Second Inaugural Address called for healing and justice, and his push for the 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery in the U.S. before he got assassination in 1865. -
Civil war/Reconstruction
A conflict between the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South), fought over slavery. The war ended with a Union victory, leading to the abolition of slavery. However, after the war, Reconstruction faced resistance, and racial violence continued as former Confederate states enacted Black Codes to restrict Black Americans' rights. -
Abolition of slavery
Abraham Lincoln delivered this speech as the Civil War was ending, he showed the moral and national consequences of slavery. He urged Americans to unite and rebuild the country, acknowledging that slavery had been a central cause of the war. His words reinforced the push for the 13th Amendment, which officially abolished slavery in December 1865. -
Second Inaugural Address
Abraham Lincoln -
Ida B Wells
A journalist and activist, Ida dedicated her life to exposing the horrors of lynching and racial violence in the South. She used her writing and public speaking to challenge false narratives about Black men and helped start organizations that fought for racial justice and women’s rights. -
Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases
Author: Ida B Wells -
James Baldwin
A writer and activist, Baldwin used his essays, novels, and speeches to highlight racism and identity struggles in America. His work, such as A Letter to My Nephew, called out racial injustice and inspired both the Civil Rights Movement and future generations to continue the fight for equality. -
The Civil Rights Movement
A national struggle to end racial segregation and discrimination against Black Americans. Key moments include Rosa Parks' bus protest, the March on Washington, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act. Leaders like Martin Luther King pushed for nonviolent resistance, leading to changes in American law and society. -
A Letter To My Nephew
James Baldwin -
Between the world and me
Ta-Nehisi Coates