Topic Group 5: African American Voting Ayanna Ogaldez and Haleigh Heflin Topic Group 5: African American Voting

Plessy vs. Ferguson Plessy vs. Ferguson was a Supreme Court case that ruled that “separate but equal” public facilities were constitutional and acceptable. The decision was argued from April 13th – May 18th 1896 , when the final decision was made with a majority ruling of 7:1. Homer Plessy, a man who was 7/8 Caucasian, tried to sit in an all white section of a train. However, under Louisiana law, he was considered African American, and could not sit in this area.

Plessy vs. Ferguson He refused to move and was immediately arrested, and forced to pay a $25 dollar fine. He sued the state of Louisiana, stating that the segregation of the railroad violated his 13th and 14th amendment rights. However, the judge presiding over his case, John Howard Ferguson, ruled that Louisiana had the right to regulate railroad companies within the state.

Plessy vs. Ferguson He continued to appeal his case until it reached the U.S Supreme Court, where they ruled that Louisiana and the railroad car did not violate the 14th Amendment. This ruling made “separate but equal” facilities acceptable. This would not be challenged again for another 60 years. This set the precedent for segregation in the South.

Segregation Segregation-to require, often with force, the separation of (a specific racial, religious, or other group) from the general body of society. This practice became common, in the South especially ,during the Jim Crow Era which started after Reconstruction. During the Jim Crow Era, it was legal to segregate people based on skin color. It was seen in public facilities such as bathrooms, restaurants, and movie theaters.

Segregation Hate crimes such as lynching and burning of people’s houses took place often during this time period. The Klu Klux Klan rose as a white supremacy group. Violence was committed mainly against blacks with no punishment. There was a lot of government corruption as well. Between 1870 and 1884 11 Southern states legally banned interracial marriage. School segregation was common in nearly every Southern state.

Segregation As a result of this, many African Americans started to protest their treatment. Some famous civil rights activists are W.E.B. Dubois, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Ida B. Wells and Rosa Parks. These people were very influential in the civil rights movement. They organized and/or participated in many demonstrations.

Exodusters The exodusters were African Americans who fled Southern states for Kansas during the years of 1870-1880. Some 15,000 of them migrated Kansas had a reputation for being more tolerant and progressive than other Southern states. The exodusters were often poor and hungry. Many of them contracted yellow fever and spread it to the places where they stopped. The freedmen’s bureau tried to help the exodusters, but were unsuccessful. The movement died out in 1880.

Disenfranchisement Disenfranchisement- to deprive a person of a right of citizenship as of the right to vote This practice was common after Reconstruction and done towards minority groups, especially to blacks. This violated the 15th amendment which states that the suffrage of free men cannot be denied based on race

Disenfranchisement Southern democratic leaders created voting barriers that effectively disenfranchised most African Americans and many poor white men. Some of these barriers included: Residency requirements Literacy tests Poll tax The disenfranchisement of African Americans was national news, and many Northerners were outraged and alarmed as new constitutions were being ratified. Supporters of black suffrage worked to try and get a Congressional investigation of disenfranchisement, but the Southern Democrats were too strong of a force, and the efforts failed. This set a trend in black voting that wouldn’t be broken for a long time.

Poll Tax In an effort to keep African Americans in a subservient position, Southern Democratic leaders created rules and regulations that made it very hard for minority groups to participate in politics. One of these stipulations was a poll tax. Since many African Americans were poor, newly freed slaves, this was a very effective tactic to keep them from voting. It also affected other minorities including poor whites.

Literacy Test Literacy test- an examination to determine whether a person meets the literacy requirements for voting, serving in the armed forces, etc.; a test of one's ability to read and write. These tests were examples of the barriers that Southern democratic leaders intentionally used to keep minorities, especially African Americans from voting. It also kept poor white men from voting as well.

Literacy Test It was illegal to teach slaves how to read and write during the pre- Civil War era. Since many African Americans were newly freed slaves, they didn’t have the money or means to learn how to read and write. The literacy tests were administered until Congress passed the Voting Rights act of 1965.

Trend in African American Voters 1890-1900 Between the years of 1890-1900, many African Americans did not vote. Because of the voting barriers that were deliberately set up, especially in the South (poll tax, literacy test, intimidation by the Klu Klux Klan) it was extremely hard for African Americans to participate in any part of politics.

Grandfather Clause Grandfather Clause-A clause exempting certain classes of people or things from the requirements of a piece of legislation affecting their previous rights. Used to describe a situation in which an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations These clauses were specifically intended to keep African Americans from voting term originated in the late 19th century constitutional amendments and legislation passed by many Southern states

Grandfather Clause These clauses put new restrictions on voting (poll taxes, literacy tests) , but exempted any person whose grandfather had the right to vote prior to the civil war. This made it possible to only exclude African Americans; not illiterate Caucasians. Eventually ruled unconstitutional.