Instructions
There is talk in Washington D.C. of finally giving the descendants
Instructions
There is talk in Washington D.C. of finally giving the descendants of slaves reparations for slavery, over 150 years after their ancestors actually got their freedom. Reparations are by definition given to those who directly suffered. So this will be controversial, maybe more so than it was back in 1865. Those fighting this today are saying it is not reparations or wondering why they must pay for the sins of ancient ancestors, or even the pay for the sins of those who were here before their own immigrant families arrived like new immigrants of families that arrived after 1865. The real crime is that it was not done in 1865.
When the Confederacy surrendered many of its citizens later said that first summer that they were on their knees and would have done anything they were told to do, it is a reason they accepted the end of slavery. President Johnson would give them hope and boost the south due his racism and as you read helped create a segregated system. There were those who wanted Congress to take land from the planters, the main ones who fought against the US, and give it to the freed slaves. These measures failed due to the opposition of President Andrew Johnson and the old southern creed of the sacredness of private property.
In about 250 words answer the question, what would have changed in the United States if the ex-slaves were given their ’40 acres and a mule.’ How do you think it would have changed the United States culturally, politically and economically? Would there have been a need of a Martin Luther King, Jr.? This would not have gotten rid of racism, so no neverland scenarios, but would it have tempered it? Would race relations be better? Would America be better, stronger?