African Americans in Political Office: From the Civil War to the White House

Barack Obama made history when he became president in 2008, but his election was made possible partially by the hard work of the many African American politicians who came before him. Even before the abolition of slavery, African Americans held political office, although they have not had an easy time of it. This historical overview of black politicians in the United States enhances classroom learning by bringing to light little-known facts, supported by primary sources and a timeline of important events.