Reconstruction and Redemption Improvements of Civil Rights 1863-1877
Social Improvement Economic Improvement Political Improvement
- 13th Amendment (abolished slavery) ratified December 1865 - 1865-1874 – Freedman’s Bank - 2 March 1867 – Military Reconstruction Act passed (over
o Freed 4 million functioning Johnson’s presidential veto)
o AA now had freedom of movement and control over own affairs. - AA also established their own o Invalidated slate governments approved by Johnson May
- 1865 – Freedman’s Bureau established welfare institutions, trade 1865-March 1867
o Set up Fisk, Atlanta, Howard, Hampton Unis associations, political o Divided former confederate states into 5 military districts.
o By 1870 spent $1 million organisations, and benevolent o For state governments to be created/recognised by
- Literacy improved societies, giving AA the Congress:
o 1865 – 95% of Southern AA could not read or write opportunity to lead and manage. Written constitutions had to provide the same right
o 1890 – 64% of Southern AA could not read or write - 1865 – Freedman’s Bureau to vote for all adult males
established. State legislature had to support 14 th Amendment
- 1866 Civil Rights Act
o Provided food, housing, and (gave all US citizens equal protection of the law)
o Guaranteed citizens the right to enter into contracts and
medical aid New elections before 1867
purchase, sell, or lease property.
o Established schools and o MRA temporarily disenfranchised 15% of white voters
- Congressional/”Radical” Reconstruction sought to punish Southern
offered legal assistance and enfranchised 703,000 ex-slaves.
states and provide strong federal protection for AA
o Attempted to settle former - 1868-9 – In the conventions held in Confederate states
- July 1868 – 14th Amendment ratified
slaves on confiscated stipulated by the 1867 Reconstruction Act 265 AA attended
o Gave all US citizens equal protection of the law
confederate lands (25% of total delegates).
- 1870 – Enforcement Act:
- 16 January 1865 – William T. - February 1870 – 15th Amendment ratified
o Federal Crime for 2+ persons to deprive any person of a right of
Sherman issued “Special Field o Prohibited fed or state governments depriving US citizens
citizenship or punish them for exercising it. Order No. 15” of the right to vote on racial grounds.
- 1871 – Second Enforcement Act: o Gave 400,000 acres (seized - In the state elections following the ratification of the new state
o Placed election of Congressmen under surveillance of federal as federal property by constitutions 600+ AA men were elected to state legislatures
election officials Sherman and his army) in SC (though whites continued to chair the most important
- 1871 – Third Enforcement Act/KKK Act: and FL to newly freed slaves committees).
o Gave President and federal troops the power to suspend habeas in 40-acre sections. o Republicans overwhelmingly elected.
corpus and arrest KKK members - 1869-77 – 16 black Congressmen and 2 black Senators
o Made interference with citizens’ CR a federal crime (guaranteed o 600-700 AA served in State Legislatures.
a more objective hearing than if the case was held in Southern
- AA became increasingly active on a local level, elected to
state courts)
positions as mayors, police chiefs, school commissioners, and
- 1875 CR Bill
state militia officers.
o Charles Sumner introduced legislation which would provide o 1,000 AA were elected to local posts with considerable
basis in May 1870 power.
Outlawed racial discrimination in juries, schools,
- Churches = first institutions truly led and controlled by AA.
transportations, and public accommodations
o (1875 CR Bill was limited by Republicans desperate to pass it
and the limited protection it offered was soon stripped by
courts.)
, Reconstruction and Redemption Setback of Civil Rights 1863-1877
Social Setback Economic Setback Political Setback
- 1865-6 – Black Codes - August 1865 – Special Field Order - December 1863 – Lincoln began the Reconstruction Process with Proclamation of Amnesty
o SC – AA needed a licence No. 15 failed as President Johnson and Reconstruction.
costing $100 for any job other returned land in exchange for previous o But assassinated 14 April 1865 and replaced by Johnson.
than farmer or servant. owners swearing loyalty to the union. - SC ratified the 13th Amendment but added that any attempt by Congress to legislate upon
- 1865-6 – Texas – 500 white men - December 1865 – 13th Amendment the political status of former slaves was against the US constitution.
indicted for murder (0 convicted). Ratified (Slaves had been worth $2 - 29 May 1865 – Johnson’s first Reconstruction proclamation:
- Summer 1866 – Race riots and billion) o General pardon to former confederates willing to take an oath of allegiance to USA.
violence in the South (e.g., Memphis - Many former slaves lacked - 24 December 1865 – KKK formed in Pulaksi, TN
TN, New Orleans LA) education/property so were forced to o 1872 – 500,000 KKK members across the South.
- Black Americans and institutions return to plantations and work as o Similar groups also set up like Knights of the White Camelia (1867) or White League
which improved the literacy Sharecroppers for the white elite. (1874).
of/empowered AA were often the - 1866 – Southern Homestead Act set - 1866 – Ex Parte Milligan
targets of violence. aside 44 million acres in 5 southern o SCOTUS ruled that special military courts set up by the Freedmen’s Bureau in
o Autumn 1870 (after 15th states to be redistributed but failed defence of AA were unconstitutional and an overextension of states’ rights.
Amendment) nearly every black (law was repealed). - 1868 election was one of the most violent in American history – 1,081 killed in Louisiana.
church and black schoolhouse in - In cities many white employers used
- February 1870 – 15th Amendment Ratified
Tuskegee, AL was burned down. black labour to undermine white
o Non-racial reasons could still be used to deny the vote (literacy tests, poll tax
o KKK killed 50 black teachers workers’ strikes.
qualifications)
and destroyed 25 schools in o Labour unions did not welcome
o Failed to reference the right of ex-slaves to hold political office.
Mississippi (in response to black members until 1880.
o Failed to make requirements to vote uniform.
public school law passed in - Economic pressure was applied to
politically active AA – those who - May 1872 – Ulysses S. Grant’s Amnesty Act
1870)
voted Republican were refused jobs, o Restored political rights to c. 15,000 ex-Confederates.
- 1872 – Freedmen’s Bureau shut down
(prevented from carrying out denied tenancies, or charged higher - 1872 – Congress refused the Freedmen’s Bureau extra funding.
programme by shortage of funds and prices in shops. - 1873 – US v. Slaughterhouse
personnel + politics of race and - 1872 – Freedmen’s Bureau shut down o SCOTUS ruled that the 14th Amendment protected the rights of national citizenship
Reconstruction) by Congress. (e.g., right to interstate travel or safety on the seas) but not rights received by state
- 1873 – Louisiana – Colfax Massacre - 1873 – Major Economic Depression citizenship.
o 3 white aggressors and 280 AA o Liberal Republicans focus on o Meant FG could not safeguard the political rights of AA.
killed (nearly half after they had economy not Reconstruction. - August 1874 – Coushatta Massacre – Louisiana
already surrendered). o President Grant blamed and o White League forced 6 Republican Party officials to resign and then murdered them
- 1876 – US v. Cruikshank Democrats gain control of HofR. and 5 AA
o SCOTUS reversed the criminal - June 1874 – Freedman’s Bank closed - 14 September 1874 – Battle of Liberty Place – New Orleans
convictions for the perpetrators (thousands of AA lost their savings). o 3,400 White League assembled to demand the resignation of the governor and
of the Colfax Massacre (said this - 1/3 of the South’s population was replacement by Dem candidate – fought police and black militia.
had to be done in state courts) black but during Reconstruction they - December 1874 – 75 AA killed in Vicksburg, MS during race riots led by red shirts.
o FG could now no longer use the only gained 1.3% of the South’s real - 1875 – US v. Reese
1870 Enforcement Act to and personal wealth. o SCOTUS declared parts of the Enforcement Act unconstitutional – 15 th Amendment
prosecute actions of paramilitary - Some states identified ownership of did not guarantee the right to vote and that states alone could confer voting rights on
groups. property as a voting qualification individuals.
- Growing idea of Social Darwinism meaning that poverty linked to a lack - 1875 – Senate rejected another Enforcement/Force Bill.
of political rights. - 1875 – Republican Governor of MS appealed to Grant for fed troops to suppress white
terror groups in State Elections.
Social Improvement Economic Improvement Political Improvement
- 13th Amendment (abolished slavery) ratified December 1865 - 1865-1874 – Freedman’s Bank - 2 March 1867 – Military Reconstruction Act passed (over
o Freed 4 million functioning Johnson’s presidential veto)
o AA now had freedom of movement and control over own affairs. - AA also established their own o Invalidated slate governments approved by Johnson May
- 1865 – Freedman’s Bureau established welfare institutions, trade 1865-March 1867
o Set up Fisk, Atlanta, Howard, Hampton Unis associations, political o Divided former confederate states into 5 military districts.
o By 1870 spent $1 million organisations, and benevolent o For state governments to be created/recognised by
- Literacy improved societies, giving AA the Congress:
o 1865 – 95% of Southern AA could not read or write opportunity to lead and manage. Written constitutions had to provide the same right
o 1890 – 64% of Southern AA could not read or write - 1865 – Freedman’s Bureau to vote for all adult males
established. State legislature had to support 14 th Amendment
- 1866 Civil Rights Act
o Provided food, housing, and (gave all US citizens equal protection of the law)
o Guaranteed citizens the right to enter into contracts and
medical aid New elections before 1867
purchase, sell, or lease property.
o Established schools and o MRA temporarily disenfranchised 15% of white voters
- Congressional/”Radical” Reconstruction sought to punish Southern
offered legal assistance and enfranchised 703,000 ex-slaves.
states and provide strong federal protection for AA
o Attempted to settle former - 1868-9 – In the conventions held in Confederate states
- July 1868 – 14th Amendment ratified
slaves on confiscated stipulated by the 1867 Reconstruction Act 265 AA attended
o Gave all US citizens equal protection of the law
confederate lands (25% of total delegates).
- 1870 – Enforcement Act:
- 16 January 1865 – William T. - February 1870 – 15th Amendment ratified
o Federal Crime for 2+ persons to deprive any person of a right of
Sherman issued “Special Field o Prohibited fed or state governments depriving US citizens
citizenship or punish them for exercising it. Order No. 15” of the right to vote on racial grounds.
- 1871 – Second Enforcement Act: o Gave 400,000 acres (seized - In the state elections following the ratification of the new state
o Placed election of Congressmen under surveillance of federal as federal property by constitutions 600+ AA men were elected to state legislatures
election officials Sherman and his army) in SC (though whites continued to chair the most important
- 1871 – Third Enforcement Act/KKK Act: and FL to newly freed slaves committees).
o Gave President and federal troops the power to suspend habeas in 40-acre sections. o Republicans overwhelmingly elected.
corpus and arrest KKK members - 1869-77 – 16 black Congressmen and 2 black Senators
o Made interference with citizens’ CR a federal crime (guaranteed o 600-700 AA served in State Legislatures.
a more objective hearing than if the case was held in Southern
- AA became increasingly active on a local level, elected to
state courts)
positions as mayors, police chiefs, school commissioners, and
- 1875 CR Bill
state militia officers.
o Charles Sumner introduced legislation which would provide o 1,000 AA were elected to local posts with considerable
basis in May 1870 power.
Outlawed racial discrimination in juries, schools,
- Churches = first institutions truly led and controlled by AA.
transportations, and public accommodations
o (1875 CR Bill was limited by Republicans desperate to pass it
and the limited protection it offered was soon stripped by
courts.)
, Reconstruction and Redemption Setback of Civil Rights 1863-1877
Social Setback Economic Setback Political Setback
- 1865-6 – Black Codes - August 1865 – Special Field Order - December 1863 – Lincoln began the Reconstruction Process with Proclamation of Amnesty
o SC – AA needed a licence No. 15 failed as President Johnson and Reconstruction.
costing $100 for any job other returned land in exchange for previous o But assassinated 14 April 1865 and replaced by Johnson.
than farmer or servant. owners swearing loyalty to the union. - SC ratified the 13th Amendment but added that any attempt by Congress to legislate upon
- 1865-6 – Texas – 500 white men - December 1865 – 13th Amendment the political status of former slaves was against the US constitution.
indicted for murder (0 convicted). Ratified (Slaves had been worth $2 - 29 May 1865 – Johnson’s first Reconstruction proclamation:
- Summer 1866 – Race riots and billion) o General pardon to former confederates willing to take an oath of allegiance to USA.
violence in the South (e.g., Memphis - Many former slaves lacked - 24 December 1865 – KKK formed in Pulaksi, TN
TN, New Orleans LA) education/property so were forced to o 1872 – 500,000 KKK members across the South.
- Black Americans and institutions return to plantations and work as o Similar groups also set up like Knights of the White Camelia (1867) or White League
which improved the literacy Sharecroppers for the white elite. (1874).
of/empowered AA were often the - 1866 – Southern Homestead Act set - 1866 – Ex Parte Milligan
targets of violence. aside 44 million acres in 5 southern o SCOTUS ruled that special military courts set up by the Freedmen’s Bureau in
o Autumn 1870 (after 15th states to be redistributed but failed defence of AA were unconstitutional and an overextension of states’ rights.
Amendment) nearly every black (law was repealed). - 1868 election was one of the most violent in American history – 1,081 killed in Louisiana.
church and black schoolhouse in - In cities many white employers used
- February 1870 – 15th Amendment Ratified
Tuskegee, AL was burned down. black labour to undermine white
o Non-racial reasons could still be used to deny the vote (literacy tests, poll tax
o KKK killed 50 black teachers workers’ strikes.
qualifications)
and destroyed 25 schools in o Labour unions did not welcome
o Failed to reference the right of ex-slaves to hold political office.
Mississippi (in response to black members until 1880.
o Failed to make requirements to vote uniform.
public school law passed in - Economic pressure was applied to
politically active AA – those who - May 1872 – Ulysses S. Grant’s Amnesty Act
1870)
voted Republican were refused jobs, o Restored political rights to c. 15,000 ex-Confederates.
- 1872 – Freedmen’s Bureau shut down
(prevented from carrying out denied tenancies, or charged higher - 1872 – Congress refused the Freedmen’s Bureau extra funding.
programme by shortage of funds and prices in shops. - 1873 – US v. Slaughterhouse
personnel + politics of race and - 1872 – Freedmen’s Bureau shut down o SCOTUS ruled that the 14th Amendment protected the rights of national citizenship
Reconstruction) by Congress. (e.g., right to interstate travel or safety on the seas) but not rights received by state
- 1873 – Louisiana – Colfax Massacre - 1873 – Major Economic Depression citizenship.
o 3 white aggressors and 280 AA o Liberal Republicans focus on o Meant FG could not safeguard the political rights of AA.
killed (nearly half after they had economy not Reconstruction. - August 1874 – Coushatta Massacre – Louisiana
already surrendered). o President Grant blamed and o White League forced 6 Republican Party officials to resign and then murdered them
- 1876 – US v. Cruikshank Democrats gain control of HofR. and 5 AA
o SCOTUS reversed the criminal - June 1874 – Freedman’s Bank closed - 14 September 1874 – Battle of Liberty Place – New Orleans
convictions for the perpetrators (thousands of AA lost their savings). o 3,400 White League assembled to demand the resignation of the governor and
of the Colfax Massacre (said this - 1/3 of the South’s population was replacement by Dem candidate – fought police and black militia.
had to be done in state courts) black but during Reconstruction they - December 1874 – 75 AA killed in Vicksburg, MS during race riots led by red shirts.
o FG could now no longer use the only gained 1.3% of the South’s real - 1875 – US v. Reese
1870 Enforcement Act to and personal wealth. o SCOTUS declared parts of the Enforcement Act unconstitutional – 15 th Amendment
prosecute actions of paramilitary - Some states identified ownership of did not guarantee the right to vote and that states alone could confer voting rights on
groups. property as a voting qualification individuals.
- Growing idea of Social Darwinism meaning that poverty linked to a lack - 1875 – Senate rejected another Enforcement/Force Bill.
of political rights. - 1875 – Republican Governor of MS appealed to Grant for fed troops to suppress white
terror groups in State Elections.
