This book chronicles the lives of Black Americans from the years 1896 until 1954. It discusses the forces leading to legal segregation; specific segregation laws, federal policy and segregation on a national level; and, early efforts to achieve civil righThis book chronicles the lives of Black Americans from the years 1896 until 1954. It discusses the forces leading to legal segregation; specific segregation laws, federal policy and segregation on a national level; and, early efforts to achieve civil righ