Reconstruction
Take a look at the reconstruction era, and the changes that occurred after the Civil War.
Overview of Reconstruction
After the Civil War ended, the period of Reconstruction in the South brought great hope for change. For over ten years gains were made: schools were created, teachers were trained, and black politicians were elected into office. As quickly as these gains came, however, they vanished after southern whites took back political power.
After the Civil War ended, the period of Reconstruction in the South brought great hope for change. For over ten years gains were made: schools were created, teachers were trained, and black politicians were elected into office. As quickly as these gains came, however, they vanished after southern whites took back political power.
Presidential Reconstruction
Politics, race, and power--that is what marked the era of Presidential Reconstruction. While Pres. Johnson hoped to use Reconstruction to unify political factions, it became a battle between Johnson and Republicans over which policies would govern the South.
Politics, race, and power--that is what marked the era of Presidential Reconstruction. While Pres. Johnson hoped to use Reconstruction to unify political factions, it became a battle between Johnson and Republicans over which policies would govern the South.
Radical Reconstruction
Once President Johnson lost control over Reconstruction, it became a battle within the Republican Party. Moderates and Radicals both ultimately wanted to protect the rights of blacks, but political objectives would partly stand in the way. Nevertheless, Radical Reconstruction ushered in the election of black politicians, the Military Reconstruction Acts, and the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Once President Johnson lost control over Reconstruction, it became a battle within the Republican Party. Moderates and Radicals both ultimately wanted to protect the rights of blacks, but political objectives would partly stand in the way. Nevertheless, Radical Reconstruction ushered in the election of black politicians, the Military Reconstruction Acts, and the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Timeline of the Reconstruction Era
Immediately following the Civil War, a time of transition occurred in the lives of newly freed slaves. This timeline of the reconstruction era covers the important laws that were enacted, the government’s role in reconstruction, and the reaction of southern states.
Immediately following the Civil War, a time of transition occurred in the lives of newly freed slaves. This timeline of the reconstruction era covers the important laws that were enacted, the government’s role in reconstruction, and the reaction of southern states.
The Black Codes of 1865
The Black Codes of 1865 turned out to be a unique way for white southerners to attempt to maintain the way of life they had known prior to the Civil War. While freedom had been won, ex-slaves were restricted and opportunities were limited.
The Black Codes of 1865 turned out to be a unique way for white southerners to attempt to maintain the way of life they had known prior to the Civil War. While freedom had been won, ex-slaves were restricted and opportunities were limited.
Ku Klux Klan
A secret paramilitary white supremacist organization, the Ku Klux Klan at various times in American history terrorized blacks and white sympathizers with violent acts of lynching, shootings, and whippings.
A secret paramilitary white supremacist organization, the Ku Klux Klan at various times in American history terrorized blacks and white sympathizers with violent acts of lynching, shootings, and whippings.
The Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment, one of the post-Civil War Reconstruction Amendments, was created to protect the rights of newly freed slaves in the South, limit the participation of ex-Confederate leaders in government, and guarantee the payment of debt. This page includes the text, history, and interpretation of the amendment.
The Fourteenth Amendment, one of the post-Civil War Reconstruction Amendments, was created to protect the rights of newly freed slaves in the South, limit the participation of ex-Confederate leaders in government, and guarantee the payment of debt. This page includes the text, history, and interpretation of the amendment.
The Fifteenth Amendment
The 15th Amendment, which grants the right to vote regardless of race or color, was a giant step toward securing black rights after the Civil War. The amendment, however, was vague, and resulted in the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses to disenfranchise blacks. Not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act did blacks finally receive the unhindered right to vote.
The 15th Amendment, which grants the right to vote regardless of race or color, was a giant step toward securing black rights after the Civil War. The amendment, however, was vague, and resulted in the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses to disenfranchise blacks. Not until the passage of the Voting Rights Act did blacks finally receive the unhindered right to vote.