Apr 01, 2016 · Mississippi joins Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Mississippi as states that celebrate Confederate Heritage Month, alternately known as Confederate History Month.

The divisions began in 1860 when Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, was elected as president of the United States. Seven of the eleven states in the south who declared their secession from the United States did so before Lincoln took office. Southern states maintained various concerns regarding political ideals, property and homes, protection for their families, and economic loss.

 Video: About the Term Freedman

Compromises regarding slavery, especially its extension to the new western territories, became more difficult to achieve. Social, political, and economic power was at stake for both the north and the south. It is estimated that more than 600,000 soldiers died during the American Civil War and about 260,000 of these were Confederates. In addition, an unknown number of civilians died in the hostilities.

 Video: Freedmens Schools during Reconstruction

White teachers—mostly women—dominated Virginia freedmen's schools during Reconstruction, but African Americans eventually won the opportunity to teach in black schools.

 Home of the American Civil War

CARPETBAGGER, a political slang term for a person who stands as a candidate for election in a locality in which he is a stranger. The term was first used in the western states of America of speculative bankers who were said to have started business with no other property than what they could carry in a carpetbag and absconded when they failed. The term became of general use in American politics in the reconstruction period after the Civil War, as a term of contempt for the northern political adventurers in the South who, by the help of the negro vote, gained control of the administration.

Read More

Information and Resources

The Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the African American experience, and highlights these resources online, in programs, and through traditional and social media.

 Public Downloads

All items are free to view, share, and download.

Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)

When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find added material from sources listed in all our articles.

Download Freedman's Educational Activities

Video Playlist: The Freedmen's Bureau Business and Research Information