Segregation Takes Over When Slavery Ends

Following the 13th amendment's ratification, White society had to find a way to deal with the newly emancipated blacks, that they had previously controlled under the institution of slavery. Prior to emancipation, blacks had been the inferior race not only politically, but also socially and economically, and the whites were not about to let that change. Segregation served as a temporary follow-up to the social status established by the institution of slavery, and as a result, did not attempt to create any semblance of equality between races.

Immediately following emancipation, blacks were able to experience new degrees of equality. They now had access to some of the same amenities, such as train cars and other public spaces, as their fellow white citizens. Major issues began to arise in train cars as they became the primary battleground for racial equality and injustice. White men and women became worried that the group that had previously been their property, were not only to be considered their equals, but as a result were now able to sit on the same train car with them, and go about it as they pleased. As slaves, the question of their social status had a quick and easy answer: they were servants to their white masters. However, after they were freed, the question of their social status did not have an easy, succinct answer. These new questions were not able to be answered by the de facto segregation that had existed for so long. This led to new de jure segregation, which had not needed to exist prior to the passage of the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th amendments.

Separate but equal became the cornerstone of legal segregation in the American south, particularly following the landmark Supreme Court case, Plessy v. Ferguson. The case ruled that legal segregation was constitutional as long as there were “separate but equal” accommodations for both races. However, this was almost immediately interpreted by southern white lawmakers and business owners as meaning separate, but not equal in any shape, way or form. Separating the races forced the African American race into the position of lesser by means of inferior treatment legally, socially and economically.

Despite new laws that imposed segregation, some African American women were able to achieve victories in racial equality through lawsuits. Though only a minority of such lawsuits resulted in favorable outcomes, the few that did demonstrated that the southern view of women was able to transcend racial tensions. However, these lawsuits were only victorious for a short period, because as Jim Crow settled in the south, the concepts of black and white womanhood grew further apart.

Since they were not allowed to enter into white hospitals, businesses, parks, etc., black communities began to create their own versions of each. One result of this is that black business owners were able to experience a massive rise in economic status, going from broke slaves to middle class business owners. As the 19^th century came to a close, the rise of Jim Crow and widespread disenfranchisement aided in the prevention of further African American socioeconomic mobility, further separating blacks and whites.

Jim Crow laws led to the ultimate demise of any newfound freedoms for African Americans. Despite some victories against these laws, segregation held a dominant hold on the lives of African Americans for well over 100 years, the effects of which are still being grappled with today.