AP African American Studies - The Practice of Freedom

Front

What was the primary legislative significance of the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, 15th)?

Back

They redefined the federal relationship to citizenship and rights. The 13th abolished slavery (except as punishment), the 14th established birthright citizenship and equal protection, and the 15th granted Black men the right to vote, fundamentally altering the U.S. Constitution.

Front

Define 'Black Codes' and their impact on post-Civil War labor.

Back

Laws passed by Southern states in 1865-1866 to restrict the freedom of African Americans and ensure their availability as a labor force. They effectively criminalized Black unemployment and vagrancy, forcing many into exploitative labor contracts similar to slavery.

Front

Explain the concept of '40 acres and a mule' and its connection to land redistribution.

Back

A wartime promise made by Union General Sherman to allocate land to formerly enslaved families. Though rescinded by President Johnson, it established a lasting benchmark for economic justice and reparations in the Black political imagination.

Front

How did the Supreme Court ruling in *Plessy v. Ferguson* (1896) uphold white supremacy?

Back

It established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legalizing racial segregation in public facilities as long as the facilities were deemed equal. In practice, this codified the 'color line' and justified systemic anti-Black racism and disenfranchisement.

Front

What was the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during the Jim Crow era?

Back

They served as essential sanctuaries for Black intellectual life and professional training when predominantly white institutions excluded Black students. HBCUs cultivated a Black professional class and fostered organizational leadership.