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Slaves throughout the begining of America were recognized as property. They weren't considered people; therefore, the could not hold any sort of political office. The first Africans were believed to arrive in Jamestown, Virginia in the early 17th century. Not only were these people slaves, but indentured servants as well.
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Elected as the Justice of Peace, Wentworth Cheswell, is believed to be the first African elected to any government office. Taking place in New Hampshire, he was one of few, maybe only, elected into an office. The free black population continued to stay out of office, and most were not allowed to vote.
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By 1784 many state consititutions allowed their free blacks to vote. Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania: 1776
New York: 1777
Massachusetts: 1780
New Hampshire: 1784 -
President Lincoln releases the Emancipation Proclamation which frees slaves in many states.
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Famous African American Hero Robert Smith is elected to South Carolinas House of Representatives. He serves for 5 years fighting hard for black rights including disfranchisement. After, he serves for the Congress for 3 years.
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The 13th Amendment of the Constitution is established. Following this, Southern states issue "The Black Codes" which place heavy restrictions on the African American population of the South. The Black Codes make African Americans rights very unequal.
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The 14th Amendment provides equal protection and due process to all African American citizens.
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Herman Rhodes Revels is elected as a senator in Mississippi. Revels is the first black senator ever to be elected and serve in the United States senate. He also served in the U.S. Congress. Revels was known for his ideas of compromise and moderation.
He resigned two months before his term was up and became president at Alcorn Agriculture and Mechanical College. -
Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback or commonly known as P.B.S. Pinchback is the first governor of African decent to be elected. Pinchback becomes the governor of Louisiana for only 35 days. After his very short term serving as governor, Pinchback stayed active in American southern politics. He became a member of the House of Representatives and later served in the Senate.
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After the passing of the 15th Amendment, Virginia makes a poll tax. The poll tax is usually only set to those of African decent.
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Based in New York, The NAACP helps to fight laws of disfranchisement. They'd help individual plaintiffs and lobby at congress.
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Women are given the right to vote. African American women remain unable to in most states. Even in the South, most African American men are unable to vote.
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Before this time, there had been African American ambassadors, but, Clifton Wharton becomes the first African American to serve in the U.S. Foreign Service.
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Jane Bolin becomes the first appointed African American woman judge. She becomes the judge for domestic relations in New York City.
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Ralph Bunche is elected as the first ever black president of the American Political Science Association.
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In 1957 the Civil Rights Act is passed by United States Congress. Although it is a big step in African American history, it doesn't do much to help the violent racism that will rain down the next 20 years.
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President Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1960. This act is suppose to help the role of the black voter in America. It helps end restrictions that once had made it hard for the African Americans to vote.
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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed by the United States Congress. This act bans discrimination in public places by employers. It establishes the EEOC or the Equal Opprutunity Economic Commission to help moniter the effectiveness of the new act.
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The Voting Rights Act is passed, which allows sufferage to the African American population.
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The first African American, Thurgood Marshall, takes a seat on the United States Supreme Court.
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In April of 1968 the Civil Rights Act is passed. It ends outlaws discrimination in the sale or renting of the housing market.
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Shirley Chisholm is the first African American woman to serve in the United States Congress.
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In Washington D.C. The Congressional Black Caucus is formed.
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Selected for post in California, Willie Lewis Brown Jr., becomes a speaker for California Legislature. He serves for nearly 15 years.
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Carol Braun of Illinois is the first African American woman to be elected into the United States Sentate.
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Barack Obama is elected the 44th President of the United States of America
