The Strength To Speak Out

Opposition to Jim Crow treatments (segregation) and voting restrictions was not necessarily only in the North, and not confined to black people either.  Many white southerners hated segregation and restricting the rights of African Americans but did not speak out, yet tried in private to treat all people with dignity.  It is not easy to fight injustice, especially when it goes against what your friends and family may believe.  

Think about this, and write a thorough reflection which incorporates responses to the following: Do you think it would have been difficult as a southerner to help African Americans during this time?  Why?  Are there circumstances in your life which keep you from protesting injustice?  What do you think can to be done in order to make it easier for people to fight injustices such as what happened to African Americans following the Civil War?

The 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment was passed shortly following the Civil War--it stated the following: 

Section 1.  All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Provide a short reflection about this amendment in which you include the following--

• Your understanding about the significance of the amendment at this time (right after the Civil War).
• What is important about the language of this amendment?  
• What democratic values are reflected?  

Going off to War

Imagine that you are a young man who has just volunteered to fight as a Union soldier in the Civil War (sorry girls--they did not allow women to fight as soldiers in this war).  Write a letter to your parents explaining why you are going, and what YOU BELIEVE you are fighting for.

The Second Revolution?

The American revolution has been called the War for American Independence.  Could the Civil War be called the War for Southern Independence?  Explain why.