A Level Politics – Civil Rights - The impact of salient political

A Level Politics – Civil Rights - The impact of salient political
issues concerning civil rights and liberties: race

This section focuses on the impact of race on US politics, focusing on two key groups: African Americans and Native Americans. It aims to enhance understanding and aid effective study.
I. African Americans and the Struggle for Civil Rights
A. Historical Context:

• Slavery (Pre-1865): The legal institution of slavery in Southern states formed the foundation of the US economy and social structure for centuries. This created a deep-seated racial hierarchy.
• Civil War & Reconstruction (1861-1877): The Civil War resolved the conflict between abolitionist and pro-slavery factions, resulting in the abolition of slavery (13th Amendment). Reconstruction attempted to integrate formerly enslaved people into society, with further rights granted via the 14th and 15th Amendments and the Civil Rights Act of 1875.
• Jim Crow Era (Post-Reconstruction): Southern states circumvented Reconstruction efforts through Jim Crow laws, enforcing racial segregation and disenfranchisement. The Supreme Court's Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) decision upholding "separate but equal" legitimized this system despite the inherent inequality.

B. Modern Political Impact:

• Legacy of Racism: The enduring legacy of slavery and Jim Crow continues to shape modern US politics, influencing issues ranging from voting rights to criminal justice and economic inequality. Racial prejudice and discrimination remain significant challenges.

II. Native Americans: A History of Genocide and Ongoing Struggle
A. Historical Treatment:

• Genocide and Displacement: European colonization resulted in the systematic slaughter and forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. Policies of forced assimilation aimed to eradicate Native American culture and identity. The scale of the atrocities constitutes a genocide. Population decline was catastrophic (estimated 5-15 million in 1492 to 238,000 by the end of the 19th century).
• Citizenship and the Indian Civil Rights Act (1968): While some Native Americans gained citizenship in the 19th century, full citizenship wasn't granted until 1924. The 1968 Act extended Bill of Rights protections to Native Americans within tribal governments but also generated resentment by granting federal court oversight.

B. Contemporary Challenges:

• Reservation Life: Over 1 million Native Americans live on reservations, facing high rates of poverty, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities. These reservations, despite self-governance, lack access to resources available to the rest of the population.
• Continuing Discrimination: Native Americans continue to experience racial stereotyping and discrimination, impacting their social and economic well-being.

III. Key Concepts & Terms

• 13th Amendment: Abolition of slavery.
• 14th Amendment: Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law.
• 15th Amendment: Granted

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