African American Dbq

People are motivated by the hope of a better life. Sources 16, 14, and 13 show this. People are motivated by the hope of a better life as seen in the era of slavery and gaining the rights they are entitled to. Even though many had rights that they never had before many minorities were not allowed to exercise those rights. In source 16 it states “The needs of African Americans and Native Americans were poorly served or served not at all — a major shortcoming of the progressive movement”
The rights of those of African or Native American heritage were not something that many respected or even thought of. Many Americans did not have the rights that were expressed in the constitution, as people saw those as only pertaining to white men. This meant

Source 13 “But it is not the complexion of the Negro that degrades him… {the Negro is] a race by nature inferior in mental caliber.” People of African or Native American ancestry despite many being highly educated, in some cases more educated than many whites, they were still seen as being the stupidest of the stupid. People could not look past the fact that many Africans were extraordinarily intelligent. People could not do what they wanted to do based on stereotypes. Which means that they were never really free people. Source 13 “the Negroes are not equals of white Americans, and are not entitled… to participate in the Government of this country.” Whites are entitled and therefore Africans or any people of color are cannot partake in the very government that makes the laws that they follow. People are again restricted based on the color of their skin, instead of restricted for their actions. People are not able to live a life that they want to live, instead they are stuck living a life that other people want them to live. The judgement of a few can ruin the lives of many. The judgement of the white men of the Congress made the lives of Africans throughout the country