While the Homestead Act affected the entire nation as a whole, it strongly affected African Americans. The Homestead Act stated that any freed slave was allowed to claim land. This was a new chance at life for many slaves. During the 1870's while the Reconstruction South was in act, many African Americans suffered from extreme racism. Some people became violent towards freed slaves, so many African Americans sought refuge in the West.
Kansas was the ultimate destination for many African Americans because it was strong abolitionist state. Kansas was the first state to allow African Americans to join the Union army during the Civil War, and was one of the first states to publicly show their support for the Emancipation Proclamation. Kansas was viewed as a symbol of freedom and justice for many African Americans.
As more and more African Americans traveled to Kansas, people began referring to the movement as "The Great Exodus". Slaves believed their movement was similar to when the Hebrews traveled in order to escape slavery in the Bible's Book of Exodus.
Kansas was the ultimate destination for many African Americans because it was strong abolitionist state. Kansas was the first state to allow African Americans to join the Union army during the Civil War, and was one of the first states to publicly show their support for the Emancipation Proclamation. Kansas was viewed as a symbol of freedom and justice for many African Americans.
As more and more African Americans traveled to Kansas, people began referring to the movement as "The Great Exodus". Slaves believed their movement was similar to when the Hebrews traveled in order to escape slavery in the Bible's Book of Exodus.