THE FREEDOM RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN ALABAMA: FROM THE 13TH AMENDMENT THROUGH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965
Led by Bertis English, Ph.D., Alabama State University

Photo courtesy the Alabama Department of Archives and History

The years 1865 through 1965 constitute a critical period in American history. During this time, nearly every facet of the nation’s sociopolitical, economic and cultural makeup was reconstructed.

Southerners played significant roles in this transformation. Following the Civil War, Southern lawmakers and other decision makers grappled with the changes that accompanied the Union victory. A principal change was emancipation, a process guaranteed by the ratification of the 13th
Amendment in 1865. The amendment was a cornerstone of the country’s first Reconstruction, but it did not bring about complete equality. Demoralized by the Confederate defeat and unwilling to accept blacks as social or political equals, conservative white Southerners tried to control free persons by enacting oppressive black codes. When these and similar constitutional measures failed to completely control African Americans, some whites turned to violence. The effects were devastating.
By 1874, when Reconstruction ended in Alabama, the state had become one of the most volatile places in the country. Racial and political violence continued in coming years, climaxing during the 1890s. In this decade, more people were lynched in Alabama than in any other state in
the Union.

The dawning of a new century did little to change the sociopolitical climate in Alabama. In 1901, lawmakers enacted one of the most conservative state codes in the United States. From this period
through the nation’s second Reconstruction, the modern civil rights movement, black and empathetic white Alabamians fought to secure universal equality. Their efforts helped make Alabama, the former cradle of the Confederacy, a center of human and civil rights activity.

This six-day, interdisciplinary teachers’ institute will explore African Americans’ attempts to achieve full equality in Alabama and neighboring Southern states. Resident scholars will assist participants in determining, assessing and articulating the continued importance of past human and civil rights successes in Alabama—and elsewhere in the South.

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Click here for this institutes's APPLICATION FORM in Microsoft Word format.

Location: Spring Hill College, Mobile

Dates: July 11-16

Times : Program begins Sunday at 2 p.m. and concludes Friday at 12 p.m. Evening sessions will end at 9 p.m.

Format: Residential seminar. Lodging and all meals provided.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided daily

Lodging: Spring Hill College, high-security apartment (one per teacher) with private bathroom

CEUs: 45 contact hours

Session Topics, Resource Materials and Activities are posted as available and are subject to change.

For all questions concerning this program, contact
Thomas E. Bryant: tbryant@ahf.net, (205) 558-3997

Additional program support is provided by:

ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange)

ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide)