In the aftermath of the civil war there were several dicussions about what to do with the freed slaves of the south. There was talk about giving them full rights, making them citazins, about doing the right thing. Talk about 40 arces and a mule.
Instead what happened was one of the most shameful periods of american history, the Liberia act was passed and declared that the former slaves would be transported back to africa. Over a period of 40 years, most of the souths black population was carted off to Liberia. When the program ended in 1902 the north had more black people then the south did.
The loss of human capital, of history, and culture can not be measured.
But what would have happened if we had decided to embrace the former slaves, and give them the rights that all americans deserve? What if the Liberia plan had failed?
Instead what happened was one of the most shameful periods of american history, the Liberia act was passed and declared that the former slaves would be transported back to africa. Over a period of 40 years, most of the souths black population was carted off to Liberia. When the program ended in 1902 the north had more black people then the south did.
The loss of human capital, of history, and culture can not be measured.
But what would have happened if we had decided to embrace the former slaves, and give them the rights that all americans deserve? What if the Liberia plan had failed?