History of the United States II / Unit 1 USH2 0023 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Black Officeholders
Captions available
The idea
Hiram Revels of Mississippi became the first African American senator in eighteen seventy, and Blanche K. Bruce of Mississippi became the second.
In practice
Hundreds more serving locally as commissioners, justices, sheriffs and clerks.
Where people slip
The anchor counts fifteen Black members of the House in the eighteen seventies; the Yawp counts fourteen. Both agree on the two senators.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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