How did the economic role of African Americans change between 1860and 1880?

Between 1860 and 1880, the economic role of African Americans transformed significantly due to the abolition of slavery and the Reconstruction era policies. In 1860, most African Americans were enslaved and had no economic autonomy. By 1880, many were free and engaged in sharecropping, agriculture, and wage labor, although they often faced systemic discrimination and economic challenges. This period marked the beginning of African Americans' struggle for economic independence and civil rights, laying the groundwork for future social and economic advancements.