To what extent did life improve for black Americans between the years 1890-1930?

The years between 1890-1930 brought about factors that impacted the lives of black Americans.

Firstly, their lives were improved by the abolition of slavery This was significant because it meant that they were free.

On the other hand, their freedom was greatly hindered by the KKK. This did not improve their lives due to the frequent acts of violence to demonstrate white supremacy, and ensured that due to fear blacks, though free, would never challenge it.

In addition to this, the Jim Crow laws, though claiming a 'separate but equal' stance did not improve this lives because it ensured segregation, often with poorer conditions such as in schools .

The fact that court cases such as Plessey vs Ferguson resulted in an unchanged ruling from the Supreme Court meant that a precedent was set and would be referred back to in the future. The lives of black Americans were not improved as white Americans felt that segregation was justified.

For some black Americans however, life improved due to the slow drift North. There were more jobs available and with them, better pay.

Black communities emerged such as Harlem that improved their lives because they brought a sense of togetherness, with the celebration of black heritage and culture.

Due to greater understanding in the North, Harlem's nightclubs and theatres also attracted white interest by white patrons. This meant that more white Americans were sympathetic to their cause.

However, despite this improvement, not all white Americans reacted positively. Many believed that there jobs were going to be taken off them. This anger culminated in the Chicago riots in 1919.

This did not improve the lives of black Americans because it showed them that although Northern states were more tolerant and less prone to violence, it still occurred. They were only really accepted within their own communities int he North.

Black American's lives improved as around Harlem, black organisations such as the NAACP and the UNIA emerged. These improved their lives because they committed themselves to defending and fighting the cases of their fellow black Americans.

On the other hand, it can be argued that although having such organisations was an asset, there were differing opinion as to the best way to bring change. This led to rivalry and did not improve the lives of black Americans because it can be argued that due to this, change was not brought about quickly.

Also, legally the lives of black Americans had not improved.

Walter White's anti-lynching bill was unsuccessful. This did not improve lives as i demonstrated that even with legitimate evidence to back up the existence of such horrific acts of violence, the Supreme Court was essentially saying that they found no fault in it.

Furthermore, black Americans were still unable to vote. This meant that they could not elect someone who could improve their lives and give them equal rights.

I think that in some ways, their lives were improved. For example, I think that having an established black community helped to boost confidence and enabled them to express themselves.

However, I think that all of the ways that the lives of black Americans improved was rooted in the slow drift north, but not all blacks moved.

Many stayed and did not have their own Harlem down south, but maybe could not have been able to move.

Also, I think that the fact that they were unable to vote was significant because it meant that legally, they really weren't able to bring about change properly.

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