twenty African Americans to Virginia's General Assembly between 1870 and 1875. While many of these African American political leaders following the end of military rule were somewhat wealthier and had more education than other African Americans, they faced many of the same difficulties and obstacles as the men who were born into slavery. They worked in jobs similar to other freedmen, such as mechanics, farmers, and ministers. However, these first African American political leaders in Virginia used the guarantee of suffrage in the 15th Amendment to their full advantage and paved the path for future leaders and further struggles for equal rights to follow in their footsteps. See also Reconstruction military districts Second Military District (North Carolina, South Carolina) Third Military District (Georgia, Alabama and Florida) Fourth Military District (Arkansas and Mississippi) Fifth Military District (Texas and Louisiana) References Reconstruction Era Departments and districts of the United States Army Political history of Virginia