Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
prepetuated inferiority, Freedmen's Bureau, Mcguffey readers
College
Humanities
Department
History
Abstract
Racial prejudice failed to dissipate after Confederate soldier stacked their rifles at Appomattox. Blacks were predominantly viewed as backward, indolent, child-like people, incapable of the new responsibilities of freedom. The historian John David Smith explained, “After slavery whites continued to perceive blacks as marginal men and women. . . . Blacks were to be acted upon. . . . Decisions were to be made for them, not by them.” (1) Although Northern and Southern views differed on blacks’ place in American society, they both relied on common assumptions of black inferiority. Most Northern and Southern whites agreed that blacks were physically, intellectually, and temperamentally different from whites. Most Northerners wished blacks to remain in the South, to maintain their current social position, and to retain racial purity. Southerners also wanted to preserve social order. The predominant view of black inferiority influenced those who wanted to re-enslave the black community and also those who declared that they wanted to “elevate” it.
Recommended Citation
Ashton, Kristine and Richards, Mary Stovall
(2014)
"Perpetuated Inferiority: A Comparative Analysis Of The Freedmen’s And Mcguffey Readers,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 223.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/223