The end of the Civil War meant an end of slavery, but not an end of struggles for Black Americans. Blacks could finally vote, but being illiterate, and with few skills, the Souther Blacks found it difficult to make a living. Many Whites and former slave owners still thought the Blacks were inferior, and weren't willing to help.

Lewis Adams knew that ignorance would keep the Blacks from making progress, but there were no institutions to teach them essential skills. He made a deal with the Democratic Party in Montgomery, promising to secure the Black vote if funding would be provided for an institute at Tuskegee. His skilled negotiation, leadership and vision of a school for Blacks worked, and funding for the Tuskegee Institute was made available in 1881.