The Citizenship Project
First Black Statesmen: Tennessee's Self-Made Men
Episode 1 | 28m 10sVideo has Closed Captions
The story of the first 14 African American legislators to serve in TN's General Assembly.
At the close of the Civil War, former slaves won freedom, but citizenship and the right to vote were still five years away. However, Tennessee would grant freedmen access to the ballot box three years before federal ratification of the 15th Amendment, opening the way for black men to vote and represent their community for the first time.
The Citizenship Project is a local public television program presented by WNPT
NPT’s The Citizenship Project is made possible by the support of Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area and the First Tennessee Foundation.
The Citizenship Project
First Black Statesmen: Tennessee's Self-Made Men
Episode 1 | 28m 10sVideo has Closed Captions
At the close of the Civil War, former slaves won freedom, but citizenship and the right to vote were still five years away. However, Tennessee would grant freedmen access to the ballot box three years before federal ratification of the 15th Amendment, opening the way for black men to vote and represent their community for the first time.
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The Citizenship Project is a local public television program presented by WNPT
NPT’s The Citizenship Project is made possible by the support of Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area and the First Tennessee Foundation.