During the era of Reconstruction, African-Americans started to gain more legal rights. One of the most important amendments passed during this era (which was right after the Civil War) was the 13th amendment. This amendment made slavery illegal across the entire United States. This was a long time coming for African-Americans, as they were enslaved in the US for over 200 years.
This amendment, along with the 14th amendment, made it so that African-Americans can be considered US citizens who can work for wages. Since African-Americans can now work for wages, this allows them to be involved in the free enterprise system. The free enterprise system allows individuals to make choices (like opening their own business) without government interference. Now that African-Americans are considered citizens, they have the ability to make money and use it as they see fit.
