The Exodusters were African Americans who migrated from the Southern United States to the West, particularly Kansas, after the Civil War in the late 1800s. Their motivations primarily stemmed from a desire for greater economic opportunities, political freedom, and an escape from the pervasive violence and discrimination they faced in the South during Reconstruction.
Many Exodusters sought landownership, which was seen as a path to independence and prosperity. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered incentives for settling on unclaimed land, making the prospect of starting anew more feasible. Furthermore, the promise of a more equitable society in the West, where they could build communities away from the oppressive systems of the South, fueled their migration.
The motivations of the Exodusters are deeply connected to the broader concept of the American Dream, which encompasses the ideals of opportunity, success, and the pursuit of happiness. The Exodusters exemplified this dream by striving for a better life through self-determination and landownership, seeking to create a brighter future for themselves and future generations in a society that acknowledged their rights and humanity. In this way, their journey can be seen as both a pursuit of personal fulfillment and a quest for social equality within the framework of the American ideal.
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