ReconstructionReconstruction

During Reconstruction African Americans had more political rights than they would have again for over 100 years.African Americans were given the right to vote.1867 32 black legislators were elected to Georgia’s General AssemblyMost prominent: Henry McNeal Turner

Henry Mc Neal Turner

St. James AME ChurchTurner was born on February 1, 1833, South Carolina. Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal ChurchDuring the Civil War was a chaplain1867 helped organized the Republican party in Georgia1867 Elected to Georgia’s House of Representatives

Henry Mc Neal Turner

In 1863, as the first Negro Chaplain in the U.S. Army.Received threats from the KKK1868 expelled from his seat in governmentPostmaster in MaconBlack legislators constantly harassed some were killed, beaten or jailed during their term.

LiberiaWith the support of

white businessmen from Alabama, Turner helped organize the International Migration International Migration Society Society to promote the return of African Americans to Africa. The IMS successfully transported three ships of African American migrants to Liberia.

LiberiaLiberia A country of western Africa on the Atlantic Ocean. It was founded (1821) through the efforts of the American Colonization Society and settled mainly by freed slaves from 1822 to the 1860s. Liberia is the oldest independent country in Africa (established 1847). A military coup in 1980 led to a full-scale civil war in 1990. A cease-fire agreement was reached in 1996, and elections were held in 1997.

Monrovia is the capital and the largest city.

Population: 3,200,000.

Blacks in Blacks in PoliticsPolitics

1867-first time blacks 1867-first time blacks could run for officecould run for office

Constitutional Constitutional Convention-Tunis Convention-Tunis Camplbell, and Henry Camplbell, and Henry McNeal TurnerMcNeal Turner

1868-thirty two 1868-thirty two blacks were elected to blacks were elected to Ga.’s General Assembly.Ga.’s General Assembly.

In September of In September of 1868-twenty eight were 1868-twenty eight were expelled-said black not expelled-said black not able to hold public able to hold public officeoffice

BLACKS IN POLITICS

By 1908 African Americans By 1908 African Americans were disfranchisedwere disfranchised

Not until 1962 did African Not until 1962 did African Americans hold seats in Americans hold seats in Georgia’s General AssemblyGeorgia’s General Assembly

Most important contributions Most important contributions of Black legislators-of Black legislators-EducationEducation