How were African Americans perceived before the war and how did that perception change after the war?

Answer 1

Before the Civil War, African Americans were largely perceived as property or inferior beings, subject to slavery and systemic discrimination. They were often viewed through a lens of racial stereotypes that justified their enslavement and exclusion from society. After the war, particularly with the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, perceptions began to shift as African Americans asserted their rights and agency, leading to greater recognition of their humanity and contributions. However, despite these changes, many of the old stereotypes persisted, and new forms of racial discrimination emerged during the Reconstruction era and beyond.