What I learned

Today in class, my classmates shared powerful presentations about the Reconstruction Era and the fight for African American rights. Here's what stood out to me.

The foundation of this era was built on the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, which abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship and equal protection, and secured voting rights. But amendments alone weren't enough—people needed real support to build new lives.

Freedman's Bureau School

The Freedmen's Bureau operated for seven years and helped over 4 million people transition from slavery to freedom. This proved that the federal government could take an active role in protecting rights and representing all Americans. The Bureau established 4,000 schools, founded HBCUs, and by 1870, educated 250,000 students. They also helped families reunite and legally marry after years of forced separation.

One of the most memorable stories was "40 acres and a mule." In January 1865, General Sherman set aside 400,000 acres of coastal land for freed Black families. By June 1865, 40,000 people had settled this land, building thriving communities with schools, churches, and functioning farms. Though the promise was ultimately broken, the vision remains beautiful—a bold step toward true freedom and self-determination.

Tuskegee Institute, founded in 1881 under principal Booker T. Washington, showed what determination could build. Students literally constructed the school themselves. When George Washington Carver joined in 1896, he revolutionized agriculture by introducing crop rotation. Later, the legendary Tuskegee Airmen would train here, becoming WWII heroes who broke barriers in the sky.

Hiram Rhodes Revels Portrait

 Finally, we learned about Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African  American U.S. Senator. Born free in North Carolina— rare for that time—he served as a minister and educator at Shaw University before making history in politics.

These stories remind us that progress requires both legal protections and practical support, vision and action.

Disclaimer: I took what I learned and used ai to compose a blog post.

Class Artificial Intelligence Videos

Voting during the Reconstruction Era

The Arc of Reconstruction (1865-1877)

Lincoln's assassination in 1865 was a turning point. His death meant the loss of a leader who might have pursued a more moderate approach to rebuilding the South. Instead, Andrew Johnson took over with a much more lenient stance toward former Confederates, creating immediate tension with Congress.

The 14th Amendment (1868) granted citizenship and equal protection, while the 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited denying voting rights based on race. These were revolutionary changes. Combined with federal troops enforcing these rights, you saw that explosion of black political participation in 1868 - African Americans voting, holding office, and participating in democracy for the first time.

But when Reconstruction ended in 1877 (as part of a political compromise), federal troops withdrew. Without that protection, Southern states systematically dismantled black voting rights through poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence. That's why by 1900, black political participation had plummeted.

Booker T. Washington's Role

Washington emerged as a major leader during this difficult post-Reconstruction period. He advocated for economic self-reliance and vocational education rather than direct political confrontation - a controversial stance, but one he felt was practical given the dangerous climate.

The Great Migration

Movement during the Great Migration

Your note about 90% of black Americans living in the South in 1900, mostly trapped in sharecropping (basically a system of debt peonage), sets up why the Great Migration happened - people fled North seeking better opportunities and escape from Jim Crow oppression.

Disclaimer: This blog post was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on class notes from educational videos about the Reconstruction Era. 

Gone WIth The Wind

GWTW MOVIE COVER

My first initial time watching Gone With the Wind was an experience to be felt. As an eternal fan of period movies, I thought I would be interested in the artistry and historical context of the movie but I never expected to get so engaged in it. The epic plot, the characters that were developed properly and the way the Civil War background was graphically depicted all made the story grand and heartfelt simultaneously. The emotions of love, loss and survival under the circumstances of the mess that is described in the film were so poignant and thought leaving that they proved not only heart touching but incredibly deep. It reflects the strength and the determination of a human soul that has to confront the non-possibility of the changes and the misery.

Scarlett O'Hara, the protagonist, is brilliantly portrayed by Vivien Leigh who experiences incredible change during the story. Initially, she is a charming, money-crazed Southern belle infatuated with money, looks and positioning. Scarlett is concentrated on looks and comfort, however, as Civil War turns everything she is familiar with, she has to adjust to a new and rough reality. Her experience of privilege to survival demonstrates a strong internal force and the will to survive. Scarlett turns into a representation of strength, as she is ready to give almost everything to survive. However, her power is rather expensive she loses a lot of her innocence and compassion on her way. The fact that she became a hardened survivor out of naive young woman was one of the most interesting and emotional parts of the film.

The role of Mammy by Hattie McDaniel has become one of the strongest performances of the movie as well. Mammy is a slave in the OHara family where she is a strong, wise and an upright woman. The most memorable remark she makes to Scarlett is this-- What gentlemen says and what they thinks is two different things-- and I have not heard Mr. Ashley request to marry you!-- and in this remark her wit and her honesty, without timidity, are seen to shine through. Regardless of all the racial hierarchy of the Old South, Mammy is authoritative and brave at the moral level. Her association with Scarlett is both supportive and strict, she directs, questions and brings them down at times of pride and stupidity. The subtlety of the role played by McDaniel made Mammy human and dimensional, and this earned her the award of being the first African American to win an Academy Award.

Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable together

Another memorable character is Rhett Butler, who is performed by Clark Gable. Rhett is a painfully sincere charismatic and cynical man, which is why he is so refreshingly real. He has a way of surviving in the confusion of war and he does not hide his selfishness but in reality he is a vulnerable man, full of love. Scarlett, his relationship with her, a mixture of passion, rivalry and heartbreak, is a source of much of the emotional force and tragic power of the film.

The Gone With the Wind was, overall, far more than I expected. No, it is not only a historic romance, but it is a typical survival story, pride and transformation in the world which is falling under the stress of change. This is why the film remains a heart-rending survival, a manpower, and a will to fight film with its intrinsically unforgettable characters and emotionally insightful depth.