The Abolition Of Slavery By Francis Ellen Watkins Harper

The Abolishment of Slavery As slavery moved past the 13th Amendment, two African American men found themselves sitting in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1866. This is the first time a black representative has participated in this branch of American government. President Johnson meets with a delegation headed by Fredrick Douglas to discuss the issue of black suffrage. So many things are happening in such a short period of time. African Americans are getting involved with experiencing their freedom. The U.S. Army creates a black cavalry and infantry regiments. One year later Congress gave blacks the right to vote in Washington, D.C. In 1870 the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, securing the right to vote for black adult males. Also for the first time, African Americans were listed by name in the U.S. Census. Francis Ellen Watkins Harper was a voice to be heard for African American women early on as she distinguished herself as a poet, teacher, and abolition ist. After the Civil War, she became a staunch advocate of women’s suffrage and a supporter of the 15th Amendment, which set her at odds with the suffragist Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In this discussion at the May 1869 American Equal Rights Association meeting, Harper argues for ratification of the 15th Amendment. (Exploring American History Document 14.3, Page 439) The ex-slaves did experience some freedom, at times some of the Southern States could not completely put