research project is to understand the transition in the lives of African Americans from slaves under the early colonists before American independence to free individuals in the aftermath of the Civil War in the Reconstruction era. You’ll analyze this transition in four (4) different “snapshots” of time: slavery in the colonies, slavery under the new nation, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction. The focus is to see how the fight for freedom over nearly a century was a series of small steps forward that, even in the end, still left African Americans in almost the same position despite slavery being abolished.
• Paper Requirements:
Your two-to-three-page research project should address the following key topics:
1) Introduction—Provide a broad overview of life for African Americans in the beginning during the colonial period and then later, during the Reconstruction era. State a key change between these two periods in addition to an example of something that might stay somewhat the same that you’ll expand upon later. While it’s important to write about the commonly acknowledged aspects of life for African Americans in the beginning, challenge yourself to find lesser-known details, such as the role of western African nations in the Atlantic slave trade.
2) Life During the colonial period and Under the New America—Describe life during both of these periods. Was life identical for slaves before and after America won its independence? What changed, and what stayed the same? What role did African Americans play during the American Revolution in both the North and the South? Create an argument for whether you think their role in the American Revolution did anything to change their position in American society in the years to follow.
3) Life During the Civil War and Reconstruction—Describe life during both of these periods, putting more focus on the Reconstruction Era. What role did African Americans, both slaves and freemen, play in the Civil War for the North and the South? Who were some of the leading African American figures? Compare their role in this war versus the American Revolution. Analyze the specific changes to the legal and civil freedoms of African Americans after the abolishment of slavery. Discuss the challenges faced by African Americans during the Reconstruction period.
• You should include a reference page by itself at the end of your paper listing each resource. To attain maximum credit, you should use three or four different sources; this can include the two sources provided.
