November 1, 1860
Abraham Lincoln, Republican, is elected President.
April 12, 1861
Confederate troops fire on Fort Sumter and the Civil War begins.
January 1, 1863
The Proclamation declared that all slaves in Confederate territory are to be set free. This action by the Republican president marked a significant step towards the abolition of slavery and garnered support from Black Americans.
April 9, 1865
The Republican Party’s role in the Union’s victory and the ultimate abolition of slavery contributed to Black Americans’ support for the Republicans during this period.
1865–1877
The Reconstruction Era, marked by efforts to rebuild the Southern states and secure the rights of freed slaves, saw Black Americans actively participating in the political process. Black voters played a crucial role in electing African American politicians to state legislatures and the United States Congress.
December 6, 1865
This constitutional amendment, which officially abolished slavery throughout the country, was championed by the Republican Party and further solidified their support among Black Americans.
July 9, 1868
This amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and provided equal protection under the law. The Fourteenth Amendment aimed to secure civil rights and protect the rights of Black Americans.
February 1870
This amendment, advocated by Republicans, aimed to protect the voting rights of Black Americans and ensure their political participation.
March 1877
This political agreement marked the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending the era of Reconstruction. The end of Reconstruction led to the rise of Jim Crow laws and the suppression of Black American voting rights, setting the stage for decades of racial discrimination and segregation.
May 18, 1896
The Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson establishes the “separate but equal” doctrine, allowing for racial segregation as long as the separate facilities are deemed equal. This ruling upheld state laws enforcing racial segregation and had a significant impact on the treatment of Black Americans.
1930s
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Democratic Party introduced the New Deal, a series of economic reforms aimed at alleviating the effects of the Great Depression. The New Deal policies, such as social welfare programs and job creation initiatives, resonated with Black Americans and contributed to their growing support for the Democratic Party.
May 1954
The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education declares racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This ruling marked a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and further solidified Black voter support for the Democratic Party, which was more aligned with the push for desegregation and equal rights.
November 8, 1960
Kennedy’s election marked a significant moment in American history as he became the first Catholic president and his campaign emphasized civil rights. Black voters played a crucial role in his election, with their support and activism contributing to his victory.
November 1963
This tragic event shocked the nation and had a profound impact on American politics. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency, continuing Kennedy’s civil rights agenda.
June 1964
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were brutally murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan in Neshoba County, Mississippi. This tragic event, known as the “Mississippi Burning” case, gained national attention and helped solidify support for the Civil Rights Act.
July 1964
This landmark legislation prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a significant step towards equality and played a crucial role in dismantling segregation and securing civil rights for Black Americans.
November 1964
The presidential election of 1964 takes place, with Democratic candidate Lyndon B. Johnson running against Republican candidate Barry Goldwater. Johnson wins the election by a landslide, securing his position as the 36th President of the United States. Johnson’s campaign emphasized his commitment to civil rights and social reform, which resonated with Black voters.
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This lesson takes students on a journey to understand why many Black Americans flipped from loyal Republican voters during Reconstruction to hopeful Democrat voters during the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s.
