Could the promises of the Constitution truly be realized for all?
Explore the Reconstruction era through an African American lens. This video examines the profound struggle following the Civil War, as four million newly freed people sought to define themselves as equal citizens amidst a nation divided by clashing visions.
The exhibition 'Make Good the Promises' explores the period from 1865 to 1877, a time defined by the legal end of slavery but shadowed by intense contradiction. While the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments outlawed slavery, granted citizenship, and provided Black men voting rights, these gains faced violent opposition. The era saw Black men elected to the U.S. Congress and the establishment of vital institutions like Howard and Spelman colleges through the Freedmen’s Bureau.
However, the era was also marked by the rise of sharecropping and systemic violence, including voter intimidation and lynching. As white supremacists regained control of Southern state governments via suppression, many of the era's advancements were rolled back. The video connects these historical struggles for land, education, and fair wages to contemporary efforts to uphold the nation's founding promises.
Source: Guided Tour: Make Good the Promises - Reconstruction and Its Legacies
