Feature: African American Civil Rights and the Presidents

In 1865, African Americans were newly emancipated from slavery, with freedom at last to move and worship and supposedly a wealth of new opportunities, yet still deemed socially inferior to the rest of society and thus heavily discriminated against. By the end of the 20th century/beginning of the 21st century, they were (legally at least) equal and had made gains in almost all societal spheres. But what role did the US Presidents play in this change? As a democratically elected leader the President was expected to do what was best for the people he governed over and oversee the other branches of the Federal government.