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Slavery
Slavery started when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619Many slaves in America refused to eat, wanting to die rather than toil through the regime of slavery. -
Abolition
Antislavery sentiments in America date back to the 1600s.The movement gained momentum over the next few decades, leading to Lincoln's in 1862 -
Antebellum
Not all blacks were enslaved during the period prior to the Civil War.Free blacks, found primarily in Northern states, had to carry papers proving they were not slaves. -
Civil War
One-third of the soldiers who fought for the Union Army were immigrants, and nearly one in 10 was African American.Black Union soldiers refused their salaries for 18 months to protest being paid lower wages than white soldiers. -
Reconstruction
From 1865 to 1877, the Constitution was amended three times to provide equal rights to black Americans.Slavery was abolished, and citizenship and voting rights were guaranteed. -
Progressive Era
Nine black students are blocked from entering the school on the orders of Governor Orval Faubus. -
World War 1
Even though black soldiers still faced discrimination at home, they fought for freedom abroad. Once again, they fought in segregated units -
Between the War
During World War I, many blacks fled the South seeking new jobs in factories in Northern cities. -
World War 2
The 332nd Fighter Group, the most successful airmen of World War II, flew more than 200 escort missions, not once losing an aircraft. -
Civil Right
In the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, segregated schools were declared unconstitutional. This landmark decision sparked the modern Civil Rights movement.
