AP African American Studies: Dismantling Reconstruction & Jim Crow Era Study Guide

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll break down the key concepts, make connections, and boost your confidence. Let's do this!

1. The End of Reconstruction & Rise of Jim Crow

Reconstruction was a period of rebuilding the South and securing rights for African Americans, but it faced systematic dismantling through legal and extralegal means. This led to the rise of Jim Crow, a system of segregation and oppression. Let's dive in!

1.1. Post-1876 Constitutional Changes

• Segregation Laws:
  • Mandated racial segregation in public spaces like schools, transportation, and restrooms.
  • Aimed to reverse the rights and protections gained by African Americans during Reconstruction.
  • Undermined the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

1.2. Black Voter Suppression Methods

• Poll Taxes:
  • Required voters to pay a fee, disproportionately affecting poor African Americans.
  • Effectively stripped many of their right to vote.
• Literacy Tests:
  • Required voters to read and interpret complex passages.
  • Denied suffrage to many African Americans due to the legacy of slavery and lack of educational opportunities.
• Grandfather Clauses:
  • Allowed people to vote only if their grandfather had been eligible before the Civil War.
  • Excluded most Black people while allowing many whites to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes.
• Intimidation and Violence:
  • Used to further limit Black political participation and representation.

1.3. Racial Violence and Retaliation

• Lynching:
  • Brutal killings without trial, often public spectacles to terrorize the Black community.
  • A horrific form of racial violence.
• KKK Terrorism:
  • White supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan used threats, beatings, and murder to maintain racial hierarchy.
  • Tactics included cross burnings, night rides, and assassinations.
• White Supremacy:
  • Fueled the violence, asserting that white people were inherently superior and needed to dominate society.
  • Justified oppression and discrimination.

1.4. Plessy v. Ferguson Impact

• The Ruling (1896):
  • The Supreme Court upheld a Louisiana law mandating segregated railroad passenger coaches.
  • Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, stating that segregated facilities were constitutional if equal in quality.
• Jim Crow Era:
  • Plessy v. Ferguson ushered in the Jim Crow era, codifying and expanding segregation throughout the country, especially in the South.
  • Laws governed social interactions and restricted Black access to opportunities.
• Setback for Civil Rights:
  • Endorsed the idea that racial discrimination was valid under the law.
  • Shaped American race relations and perpetuated inequality for over half a century.

1.5. Separate vs. Equal Reality

• Unequal Facilities:
  • Black schools received far less resources, leading to overcrowding, dilapidated buildings, and outdated textbooks.
  • Public services (parks, libraries, hospitals) for Black communities were substandard or nonexistent.
• Second-Class Citizenship:
  • Segregation laws relegated Black people to second-class citizenship and limited their ability to succeed.
  • The reality was "separate and unequal" treatment.
• Overturning Plessy:
  • It took nearly 60 years until the Supreme Court overturned Plessy in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case (1954).
  • The Court declared that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal" and ordered school desegregation.
• Legacy of Inequality:
  • The legacy of Plessy and decades of sanctioned segregation continued to shape racial inequities long after the ruling was overturned.
  • Discriminatory policies and attitudes persisted, requiring ongoing efforts to achieve true equality.

2. Required Sources

2.1. Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court ruling, 1896

The Plessy v. Ferguson ruling upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This landmark decision effectively legalized Jim Crow laws and institutionalized racial discrimination across the United States, particularly in public accommodations and services.

The ruling's impact on African American life was profound and long-lasting, entrenching systemic racism for decades. It set a legal precedent that justified segregation and unequal treatment, significantly hindering the progress of civil rights until its eventual overturning by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. ## 3. Final Exam Focus

Focus on the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the Compromise of 1877, Plessy v. Ferguson, and the Jim Crow Era . These are high-value topics that frequently appear on the AP exam.

3.1. Key Topics

• Reconstruction's Failure: Understand how Reconstruction was systematically dismantled.
• Voter Suppression: Know the methods used to disenfranchise Black voters.
• Racial Violence: Be aware of the role of lynching and groups like the KKK.
• Plessy v. Ferguson: Understand the significance of this ruling and its impact.
• Jim Crow Era: Recognize the various ways segregation was enforced and its consequences.

3.2. Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice Questions: Often test your knowledge of key events, court cases, and legislation.
• Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Require you to explain the causes and effects of specific events.
• Free Response Questions (FRQs): Often ask you to analyze how different factors led to the rise of Jim Crow or how it impacted African Americans.

3.3. Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Pace yourself during the exam. Don't spend too much time on one question.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use evidence to support your claims.
• Strategies: Read the questions carefully and plan your responses before writing.

4. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT a method used to suppress Black voters in the South after Reconstruction? a) Poll taxes b) Literacy tests c) Grandfather clauses d) Property ownership requirements

2. The Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established which of the following legal principles? a) "Separate but equal" b) "One person, one vote" c) "All men are created equal" d) "With all deliberate speed"

Short Answer Question (SAQ)

1. Briefly explain how the dismantling of Reconstruction led to the rise of the Jim Crow Era. Include two specific examples of how this period impacted African Americans.

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the ways in which legal and extralegal means were used to dismantle Reconstruction and establish Jim Crow laws in the South. In your response, consider the impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision and the various methods of voter suppression. (15 points)

Scoring Breakdown for FRQ

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis statement that addresses the prompt.
• Evidence (6 points): Providing at least three pieces of specific evidence that support the thesis. Examples include:
  • Constitutional changes in Southern states
  • Voter suppression tactics (poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses)
  • Racial violence (lynchings, KKK terrorism)
  • Plessy v. Ferguson decision
  • Jim Crow laws
• Analysis (6 points): Explaining how the evidence supports the thesis, including:
  • How legal means (rewriting constitutions, Plessy decision) dismantled Reconstruction
  • How extralegal means (violence, intimidation) were used to maintain white supremacy
  • The specific impact of Jim Crow laws on African Americans
• Synthesis (2 points): Making connections to broader historical themes or other periods, such as the ongoing struggle for civil rights.