Chapter 14 Emancipation Impact

The emancipation had a positive impact on the African- Americans. When reading this section I was finally happy to read that the African-Americans finally had something good happen to them, which was very pleasing to read. Even reading about the emancipation I felt like I was also feeling their emotions. It was very heartwarming to read how couples that were separated for many years were able to come together again and start their family, but then it was just as well sad to read how couples who were going to get reunited, were unable to because their love had passed away.  It was a little discouraging to me, how once they were reunited the husbands want their wives to stay at home, and the comment made by one man “I married her to wait on me”, (page 383). I found that comment really ironic because when they were once slaves they waited on their owner, and knowing the experiences they've had, why would they continue to treat their wives in that such manner. It is almost as if the wives were slaves to their husbands. The separate spheres doctrine should be able to be applied the African- American’s home, to somewhat create an equal household between the spouses.

This was exciting to me, how the fourteenth amendment was passed. Thus allowing the African-Americans to be recognized as citizens of the states instead of being only identified as a slave or by the color of their skin. I can imagine at this time it created a lot of controversy and may have put the African-American lives more in danger. This was a big step forward in creating equality. The fourteenth amendment also made a big impact on African-American history in America. It was also encouraging to read how emancipation also pushed the African-Americans to become leader, to begin to create their own communities, and within these communities they made their own institutions. Their community was well fitted for them, from churches to schools, they were finally able to express their culture.