Overview and Reflection

From 1803-1862 was called the Antebellum period during this time Louisiana was purchased from Napoleon. The period also included the Dred Scott case that ruled neither free or enslaved blacks had constitutional rights. By 1850 85% of blacks were skilled workers. Reconstruction in New Orleans was from 1865-1877. Plessy v Ferguson case created separate but equal public facilities. These difficult times in New Orleans spurred creativity from the black community.