Program Type

Graduate

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Kelly Jones

Document Type

Poster

Location

Online

Start Date

25-4-2023 8:00 AM

Abstract

From 1865 to 1905, black Arkansans experienced significant growth in political life, economic opportunities, social development, and legal protections. One of the most extraordinary and distinctive areas of change for black Arkansans was their increased involvement in political life, specifically office holding. After the Civil War, black Arkansans expanded their political opportunities in local elections, state positions, and federal appointments. However, this evolution did not provide equal opportunities to all black Arkansans. Urban areas of Arkansas experienced the most gains, for they contained significant pockets of middle-class black Arkansans able to take advantage of political opportunities. Cities in post-Civil War Arkansas showed promise as an area of substantial social mobility and political opportunity. According to U.S. Census Data from 1870, four Arkansas counties contained a population of 15,000 people or more. Three of these four counties held significant urban centers hosting influential black communities. By 1900, all three counties had almost doubled in population, with a majority of growth in the urban centers: Helena in Phillips County, Pine Bluff in Jefferson County, and Little Rock in Pulaski County. Each of these counties housed a politically active black community; however, Little Rock in Pulaski County held unique opportunities for black Arkansans seeking political offices. Unlike the other two Arkansas cities, Little Rock experienced tremendous growth in population in the late nineteenth century, became the largest urban center of Arkansas, and included a vibrant black middle class that held a significant number of local offices, won state government and representative positions, and received political office appointments. In post-Civil War Arkansas, Little Rock became the prominent urban center for African Americans seeking political opportunity at the local and state levels.

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Apr 25th, 8:00 AM

Little Rock's Unique Political Opportunities for Black Arkansans 1865 - 1905

Online

From 1865 to 1905, black Arkansans experienced significant growth in political life, economic opportunities, social development, and legal protections. One of the most extraordinary and distinctive areas of change for black Arkansans was their increased involvement in political life, specifically office holding. After the Civil War, black Arkansans expanded their political opportunities in local elections, state positions, and federal appointments. However, this evolution did not provide equal opportunities to all black Arkansans. Urban areas of Arkansas experienced the most gains, for they contained significant pockets of middle-class black Arkansans able to take advantage of political opportunities. Cities in post-Civil War Arkansas showed promise as an area of substantial social mobility and political opportunity. According to U.S. Census Data from 1870, four Arkansas counties contained a population of 15,000 people or more. Three of these four counties held significant urban centers hosting influential black communities. By 1900, all three counties had almost doubled in population, with a majority of growth in the urban centers: Helena in Phillips County, Pine Bluff in Jefferson County, and Little Rock in Pulaski County. Each of these counties housed a politically active black community; however, Little Rock in Pulaski County held unique opportunities for black Arkansans seeking political offices. Unlike the other two Arkansas cities, Little Rock experienced tremendous growth in population in the late nineteenth century, became the largest urban center of Arkansas, and included a vibrant black middle class that held a significant number of local offices, won state government and representative positions, and received political office appointments. In post-Civil War Arkansas, Little Rock became the prominent urban center for African Americans seeking political opportunity at the local and state levels.