Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

Overview

How were African Americans presented in the media during Reconstruction?

During Reconstruction, the American people debated the rights and responsibilities of African Americans now that the era of slavery had come to an end. Images can shape responses and attitudes, and the media images of African Americans influenced American's perceptions of those debates. Artists opposed to the extension of the rights of citizenship often relied upon stereotypes in their images. Supporters of the African American cause created illustrations that reflected dignity and determination.

Sources

Choose from the following titles:

1. Black Suffrage
2. First Black Voter
3. Negro Suffrage Platform
4. Freedman's Union Industrial School
5. Plenty to Eat and Nothing to Do
6. Black students learn on street
7. Freed Slave Statue

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Black Suffrage

African Americans exercised their right to vote during Reconstruction.

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

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Black Suffrage

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Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

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First Black Voter

This illustration is entitled "The First Vote."

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

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First black voter

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Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

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Negro Suffrage Platform

The portrayal of African Americans reveals the artist's attitude toward the Fifteenth Amendment.

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

Please study this document and answer the following questions.

Negro suffrage platform

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Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

Submit to Gradebook:

First Name:
Last Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Professor's Email Address:

Freedman's Union Industrial School

A positive image of the activities of the Freedmen's Bureau.

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

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Freedman's Union Industrial School

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Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

Submit to Gradebook:

First Name:
Last Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Professor's Email Address:

Plenty to Eat and Nothing to Do

This cartoon engages in stereotypes.

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

Please study this document and answer the following questions.

Plenty to Eat and Nothing to Do

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Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

Submit to Gradebook:

First Name:
Last Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Professor's Email Address:

Black students learn on street

The ambition and ability of African Americans was debated among white Americans.

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

Please study this document and answer the following questions.

Black students learn on street

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Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

Submit to Gradebook:

First Name:
Last Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Professor's Email Address:

Freed Slave Statue

This illustration offers a celebratory perspective on the consequences of emancipation.

Topic: Media portrayals of African Americans during Reconstruction

Please study this document and answer the following questions.

Freed Slave Statue

Click here for sample answers | Read the document again

Observation

1. Which individual items within the image are drawn to your attention?

2. List the characters, objects, and / or action.

Expression

3. What is your overall impression of this image?

4. What is this image attempting to convey to the viewer?

Connection

5. What does this image tell you about this period in America History?

Submit to Gradebook:

First Name:
Last Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Professor's Email Address:

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