African American History

The study of the experiences of people of African descent in America from slavery to today.

What is the definition of African Americans?

Quote: "African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans or Black Americans, are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from any of the black racial groups of Africa."

How do African Americans generally identify?

Quote: "The term 'African American' generally denotes descendants of enslaved Africans who are from the United States."

Are all black immigrants or their children considered African Americans?

Quote: "While some Black immigrants or their children may also come to identify as African American, the majority of first-generation immigrants do not, preferring to identify with their nation of origin."

What is the population rank of African Americans in the U.S.?

Quote: "African Americans constitute the third largest racial ethnic group in the U.S. after White Americans and Hispanic and Latino Americans."

What are the major ancestral backgrounds of African Americans?

Quote: "On average, African Americans are of West and Central African, Western European, and Native American ancestry."

When did African American history begin?

Quote: "African American history began in the 16th century, with Africans from West and Central Africa being sold to European slave traders and transported across the Atlantic to the Western Hemisphere."

How were enslaved Africans utilized in the Americas?

Quote: "After arriving in the Americas, they were sold as slaves to European colonists and put to work on plantations, particularly in the southern colonies."

Were there any instances of freedom or resistance for enslaved Africans?

Quote: "A few were able to achieve freedom through manumission or escape and founded independent communities before and during the American Revolution."

When were enslaved people in the United States liberated?

Quote: "Four million enslaved [people] were only liberated during and at the end of the Civil War in 1865."

What rights were gained by African Americans during Reconstruction?

Quote: "During Reconstruction, they gained citizenship and the right to vote."

How were African Americans treated during Reconstruction and afterwards?

Quote: "Due to the widespread policy and ideology of White supremacy, they were largely treated as second-class citizens and found themselves soon disenfranchised in the South."

What were some factors that brought about change in the treatment of African Americans?

Quote: "These circumstances changed due to participation in the military conflicts of the United States, substantial migration out of the South, the elimination of legal racial segregation, and the civil rights movement which sought political and social freedom."

Who was the first African American president of the United States?

Quote: "In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected president of the United States."

When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?

Quote: "In 2021, Juneteenth, a day which commemorates the end of slavery in the US, became a federal holiday."

What areas of culture have African Americans influenced?

Quote: "African American culture has had a significant influence on worldwide culture, making numerous contributions to visual arts, literature, the English language, philosophy, politics, cuisine, sports, and music."

Which genre of music has its origins in the African American community?

Quote: "The African American contribution to popular music is so profound that virtually all American music, including jazz, gospel, blues, disco, hip hop, R&B, soul, rap, and rock has its origins either partially or entirely in the African American community."

What are some specific contributions of African Americans to music?

Quote: "The African American contribution to popular music is so profound that virtually all American music, including jazz, gospel, blues, disco, hip hop, R&B, soul, rap, and rock has its origins either partially or entirely in the African American community."

Who was the first African American president of the United States?

Quote: "In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected president of the United States."

What event does Juneteenth commemorate?

Quote: "In 2021, Juneteenth, a day which commemorates the end of slavery in the US, became a federal holiday."

How has racism affected African Americans in the present day?

Quote: "However, racism against African Americans remains a problem into the 21st century."