¶ … African-Americans in Major Historical Events Although African-Americans have been seen as being the catalysts of major historical conflicts such as the Sectional Crisis, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, they actually impacted these events. For example during the Sectional Crisis, African-American presence in the U.S. Courts, as they sued for their freedom, brought the injustice that African-Americans faced to the national spotlight. In addition, during the Civil War, African-Americans' presence was widespread as they fought on the field and worked behind the scenes. Finally, African-Americans shaped the period of Reconstruction as they continued their fight for equality through their presence in government politics. This essay will discuss these specific contributions of African-Americans during each of these eras.

The Dred Scott Decision

The Sectional Crisis was the period preceding the Civil War that began in the 1840s and peaked during the 1850s. During the period of the Sectional divide contributions of African-Americans shaped the face of national history and had a significant impact on the justice system. These contributions and impact were headed by Dred Scott, a slave.

Mr. Scott's "citizenship" case was heard before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1856. The Court would ultimately hold that, "Dred Scott, is not a citizen of the State of Missouri…because he is a negro of African descent (U.S. v. Scott, 1856). The essence of...

It follows that during the period of the Sectional Crisis, African-Americans, even if they were free, were not citizens of the United States as a result of slavery or African ancestry. The Court examined whether "a negro can become a member of the political system and as such become entitled to all the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guaranteed by the Constitution to a citizen…One of which rights is the privilege of suing in a court of the United States in the cases specified in the Constitution" (Id.).
The Supreme Court ruled against Mr. Scott and found that he was not a citizen. However, his presence in Court along with challenges by hundreds of other African-Americans of their lack of citizenship began a movement against racial oppression that would last for over 100 years. In each of the periods that followed, including the Civil War era, and the Reconstruction Period, African-Americans inched closer to what they knew they were entitled to -- liberation and equal rights.

2. African-American Presence in the Civil War

The Civil War occurred between the years of 1861 and 1865. Although the fact is not often recognized, African-Americans maintained a constant presence in, and had a significant impact on, the Civil War (Murphy, 532). African-Americans not only served as soldiers on the battle field, but also offered service as laborers, cooks, and craftsmen for the Union (Id.). Still, there were a number of African-Americans that fought on the side of the Confederacy (Id.).

Those who fought on the side of the Union believed that winning the War was literally their freedom and they did not want it handed to them -- like Dred Scott and…