Reconstruction
Marisa Schaldach
The Three Civil Rights Amendments
The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in July of 1865. This amendment provided a constitutional guarantee of equal protection and citizenship. During this time, the south would be punished if they denied the right for a black citizen to vote. This had made many people happy, but there was still more that could be done to make the United States more equal. That is why they went forth and produced another important piece of legislature.
The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in 1870. This document gave people the right to vote, no matter what race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Though even more people were happy, this document did not allow women to vote. This angered many women’s rights groups.
Plans For Reconstruction
President Johnson was against rich people, he was also a racist. Johnson set up the ten percent plus plan. This plan offered amnesty upon oath to all except Confederate Civil and military officers and those with property over $20,000. In the new constitutions, they must accept minimum conditions repudiating slavery, secession, and state debts. Johnson’s plan pardoned the rich and brought them to power which was was a contradiction to his being against rich people. he also granted 13,500 special pardons. Johnson also vetoed the Freedman’s Bureau bill, and the 1866 Civil Rights Act.
After Johnson vetoed those two bills, Congress passed both of the bills over Johnson’s wishes. Many Republicans in Congress did not think that Lincoln’s plan was harsh enough, and they wanted the south to be punished more for starting the war.
President Abraham Lincoln
Before his assassination.
President Andrew Johnson
Took over for President Lincoln after his assassination, but was then impeached.
Black Codes
Racism and Discrimination
The Klu Klux Klan was a group of racist people who used violence against African Americans. They dressed in all white costumes, masks and robes. These groups opposed desegregation, and they only came out at night. Many people were killed because of these activists.
African Americans tried to protect their rights by becoming more active in churches, politics, schools and other educational programs. They were given new hope, and they moved forward with it. Some even became delegates, others became representatives and held state and local offices.
Klu Klux Klan
Racist group during the reconstruction who opposed African Americans having equal rights.
Segregation
Many things were segregated.
Moving Forward
Many African Americans used their new rights to become more active in the government.