History Black Calhons Exam

By 1874, how much land did Black Georgians own?

More than 350,000 acres of land.

What opportunity did Reconstruction offer Black men?

It provided a real opportunity to succeed and become wealthy, like Moses had.

Why did Southern whites resist Black progress during Reconstruction?

They did not want Blacks to have the same rights and wanted to limit Black land ownership and voting rights.

What was the role of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) during Reconstruction?

The KKK used violence and terror to prevent Black people from voting and exercising their rights.

What significant event happened in April 1868 in Columbia County, Georgia?

There were 1,222 votes for the Republican candidate, but the KKK’s violence led to voter suppression.

What action did President Ulysses S. Grant take against the KKK in 1870?

He ordered a federal grand jury investigation into the Klan as a terrorist organization.

What was the significance of October 25, 1870, for Atlanta University?

A day of mixed blessings, with the Georgia legislature initially denying money to the university but later approving $8,000 in funding.

What were some struggles Black students faced in education?

Some public school boards allowed Black students, but many were still denied access or had to be placed in separate schools.

When was the first Atlanta University exam given, and what was its significance?

June 26 to June 28, 1871 – It showcased the academic excellence of Black students, proving their intelligence and potential.

What did Katie White’s examination performance demonstrate?

It astonished the teachers and visitors, proving that Black students were highly capable in subjects like Latin and Greek.

How did the KKK respond to the Thirteenth Amendment?

The KKK formed as a reaction to the abolition of slavery, aiming to terrorize Black people and suppress their rights.

What did the Atlanta University examiners find surprising about the students?

The students were able to select their own passages to be tested on and answered in complete, well-structured responses.

What notable comment did one examiner make about a young girl during the Atlanta University exam?

When asked why she had been reading the geometry exam, she replied, 'For our class, sir; for our school, my race.'

What did the success of the Black students at Atlanta University prove?

It disproved racist beliefs that Black people were intellectually inferior and showed that they could excel in higher education.

How did the public react to the performance of Atlanta University students?

The Atlanta Constitution noted that their performance was excellent, but white Southerners were resistant to accepting their success.

What was one of the most significant educational challenges Black students faced post-Reconstruction?

Many schools were still segregated, and access to higher education was extremely limited due to racist policies.

How did Atlanta University help change perceptions about Black education?

It became a symbol of Black excellence and showed that given the opportunity, Black students could achieve great academic success.

What was a common racist argument used against Black education at the time?

Some white leaders claimed that Black people were not capable of learning advanced subjects and should instead focus on manual labor.

Why was funding for Black schools and universities often unstable?

Southern lawmakers were reluctant to fund Black education, and schools had to rely on donations and limited government support.

What impact did the Atlanta University examinations have on the Black community?

They provided hope and proof that education was a powerful tool for progress and equality despite societal opposition.