8.3 Segregation and Discrimination

Discrimination in the South Techniques white leaders would use to keep African Americans from voting: – “Literacy” tests that were made harder for black voters than white ones – Poll taxes; both white and black sharecroppers were too poor to be able to pay these – Grandfather clause meant white voters who failed either of the above could still vote.

Discrimination in the South The Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision supported Jim Crow laws – Segregation was okay as long as everything was “separate but equal” – But Plessy and Jim Crow laws did give the NAACP and other black groups something specific to fight against later for equality (Brown v. Board of Ed)

Discrimination in the South Black men had to take off their hats and move off the sidewalk for white people, who would often call the man “boy” Attacks, beatings, and lynchings were common

Discrimination outside the South Northern white workers didn’t want black people to take their jobs – Black workers often earned less money, were fired more often, and were denied union membership – Occasionally there would be riots against black workers

Discrimination outside the South In the West, racial tensions were still there, but they weren’t as bad – Mexicans helped build the railroads and work the agricultural fields A system of debt peonage kept Mexican and black workers stuck basically in slavery to pay off a debt. – Chinese Exclusion Act from Ch. 7