In What Ways Did the Position of African Americans Improve in the Period 1870-1919?

In order to answer the above question it is a good idea to look at the situation facing the blacks before 1870. On New Year's Day 1863 the President Abraham Lincoln forced through the 13th Amendment that was a law basically making slavery illegal. At the time this faced a mix reaction as the southern and northern states had different views on slavery. In basic terms the north was more favourable towards the slaves and following their victory in the civil war they could create anti-slavery laws. The southern states, which include Texas and Mississippi, were on the whole pro-slavery. Of cour…