History

Education: The Key to Freedom

We’re taught that citizenship involves certain rights and duties but the reality for many citizens in minority communities, these rights of citizenship are not automatically granted. Nashville Public Television’s original series The Citizenship Project explores these stories, one hundred years after the Civil War and into the 20th century.

The Citizenship Project Episode 7 | 28m 0s | CC

Education: The Key to Freedom documents the impressive strides by former slaves to gain an education in postbellum Tennessee. Not only were thousands learning to read and write, they soon had access to higher education as several Black colleges opened across the state. Despite court-ordered desegregation efforts, the integration of public schools remains an elusive goal to this day.

The Citizenship Project

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The Citizenship Project

Cumberland Homesteads: Showplace of the New Deal

New Deal project created to help homeless families left destitute by The Great Depression.

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First Black Statesmen: Tennessee's Self-Made Men

The story of the first 14 African American legislators to serve in TN's General Assembly.

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The Early Black Press

African Americans gained from the Civil War was the right to free expression.

"Education: The Key to Freedom" is made possible by: The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, Amazon, Diversified Trust. Additional support provided by: Cat Financial, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company, Delta Dental of Tennessee, Regions Bank and Walmart.

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