🚪America was founded by Europeans seeking a promised land of wealth and abundance.
⛓️Slavery played a central role in building America's wealth and power.
🧪The nation sought to reconcile the contradiction of holding slaves while proclaiming equality.
👥Racial segregation became the law of the land, denying African Americans basic rights and opportunities.
🔥The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist terrorist organization, instilled fear and violence in African American communities.
Why was slavery so integral to America's development?
—Slavery provided the labor force that fueled America's economic growth, particularly in agriculture.
What were the consequences of racial segregation?
—Racial segregation led to systemic inequality, denying African Americans access to education, jobs, and civil rights.
How did the Ku Klux Klan exert its power?
—The Ku Klux Klan used violence and intimidation to enforce racial hierarchy and suppress African American rights.
Did the Emancipation Proclamation end slavery?
—The Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves in rebellion against the Union as free, but slavery was officially abolished with the 13th Amendment.
How did World War II contribute to the civil rights movement?
—African American soldiers who fought in World War II returned home with a sense of dignity and empowerment, sparking demands for equal rights.
00:00Europeans believed in a promised land of wealth and plenty in the New World.
01:46Slavery became central to America's economic growth, leading to immense wealth.
06:53Racial segregation emerged as a system of laws, denying African Americans rights and opportunities.
12:46The Ku Klux Klan rose to power, using violence and intimidation to uphold white supremacy.
13:52World War II sparked a revolution in the fight for African American rights.
