Diese Facharbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung der Afro-Amerikanischen Menschen in den USA. Unter anderem wird hierin die Entwicklung von schwarzen Sklavenarbeitern bis zur Erlangung der Gleichebereichtigung mithilfe von literarischen und politischen Beispielen (Reden von wichtigen Persönlichkeiten) verdeutlicht und anschließend die Bedeutung dieser Entwicklung für die heutige Zeit herausgearbeitet.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of the Afro-American slavery
2.1 Its beginning and the situation of the African slaves
2.2 The abolishment of slavery
3. Literary example of the situation of black people in the 20th century - "Beale Street Blues"
3.1 Description of the main characters
3.2 The political and social situation of the characters
3.3 Their way out of the problems
4. Political measures against discrimination
4.1 Civil-rights activists and their political speeches
4.2 Political events
5. Today's situation
5.1 Obama's view of today's situation
5.2 Is there still discrimination in the USA?
6. Concluding remark
7. List of literature
8. Attachment
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the historical and social development of black people in the USA, tracing the transition from slavery to the election of Barack Obama, while analyzing how political engagement and literature reflect these changes.
- The history of Afro-American slavery and its abolition.
- Social and political analysis of African-American life in the 20th century via James Baldwin's "Beale Street Blues".
- The role of civil-rights activists like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X in achieving equality.
- Contemporary evaluations of discrimination and the significance of the Obama presidency in the context of historical struggles.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Its beginning and the situation of the African slaves
The ancestors of the Afro-American people who are now living in the USA have their origins on the African continent. They had been brought to America in the course of the Afro-American slavery. This slavery started after the discovery of America in the 16th century. At that time, the first African slaves had been brought by Spanish discoverers to the USA whereas the British colonies (13 colonies) had started earlier and they had also contributed to the American slavery. The reasons for bringing and using slaves were, among other things, a huge request of cotton, tobacco, rice, wheat, corn etc. in the USA. Especially there were many workers for cotton because it was one of the main export products of the USA at that time. African slaves had been also employed for the production of their own clothing and nutriment. For today's people, this period is characterized by brutal and inhuman behavior of white people towards black slaves. The following aspects will prove this statement: The whites employed slaves of every age even if they were a child which was usual in the time of slavery. For example, 8-year-old children had to work on plantations. Beyond that, the African slaves had lived in simple cottages without ground floor, without windows and in the rare cases they had a bed. In addition, their workplace were plantations where the slaves worked the whole day until the dawn. Furthermore, they were not able to sleep calmly because they had to get ready for the next working day. In addition, the Afro-American slaves had a lord and a controller who observed them during their work. While doing their job, it was normal for the slaves to be tortured when they did not do their work well.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of the election of the first Afro-American president and defines the paper's central research questions regarding the development from slavery to equality.
2. History of the Afro-American slavery: Details the origins of slavery in the US, the brutal living conditions on plantations, and the eventual, though incomplete, abolition of the institution.
3. Literary example of the situation of black people in the 20th century - "Beale Street Blues": Uses James Baldwin’s novel to illustrate the social and political struggles of black couples and the importance of family cohesion in overcoming adversity.
4. Political measures against discrimination: Analyzes the impact of civil-rights activists like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and historical events like the March on Washington and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
5. Today's situation: Examines how Obama’s presidency relates to the legacy of the civil rights movement and discusses whether discrimination persists in contemporary American society.
6. Concluding remark: Synthesizes the findings, concluding that collective political action and unity were the primary drivers in the development toward equality.
Keywords
Afro-American slavery, Civil rights movement, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Barack Obama, Discrimination, Racial equality, Beale Street Blues, Segregation, Social justice, American Dream, Political activism, Emancipation, Unity, Historical development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This paper explores the historical progression of black people in the United States, moving from the era of institutionalized slavery to the election of the first Afro-American president, Barack Obama.
What are the core thematic fields covered?
The core themes include the history of slavery, the impact of literature on social understanding, the role of political activists in the civil rights era, and contemporary race relations.
What is the central research question?
The work investigates how it was possible for a member of a formerly oppressed and enslaved minority to rise to the highest office in the country, and what factors or individuals led to this development.
Which methodology is employed?
The paper uses a combination of historical analysis, literary review—specifically focusing on James Baldwin's "Beale Street Blues"—and an examination of political speeches and events to verify its hypotheses.
What is discussed in the main section?
The main section covers the brutal reality of historical slavery, analyzes social issues through a literary lens, and highlights the effectiveness of non-violent resistance and political legislation in the 20th century.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Slavery, Civil Rights, Equality, Discrimination, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Barack Obama.
How does the novel "Beale Street Blues" serve the author's argument?
The novel provides a concrete, authentic example of how systemic social problems, poverty, and prejudice affected black individuals in the 20th century, and how cohesion served as a survival strategy.
What is the conclusion regarding discrimination today?
The paper concludes that while significant progress has been made since the 1960s, discrimination has evolved into more subtle forms and persists, particularly for lower-income groups.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mustafa Sezer (Autor:in), 2012, From slavery to equality - the development of black people in the USA, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/262446
