The American Dream Deferred

Following the Civil War minorities especially African-Americans felt great hope for immediate equality. When the thirteenth amendment which abolished slavery was ratified many minorities felt that they would be given equal rights. This wasn't going to be the case for a long time to come. State laws were put into effect that mandated segregation. These laws had the backing of the Supreme Court. Hispanics and Asians were no exception to the law. The poorest of poor white people were considered better than minorities.
By the end of the nineteenth century all minorities and women's rights were being deferred. …