Events surrounding radical reconstruction AND how reconstruction eventually will come to an end.

Passage of Civil Rights Legislation

The Reconstruction Acts of 1867 divided the South into military districts, and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to guarantee citizenship and equal rights for African Americans.

Establishment of Freedmen’s Bureau

The Freedmen’s Bureau was established in 1865 to aid newly freed slaves in various ways, including providing education, food, and legal assistance.

Ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

These amendments abolished slavery (13th), granted citizenship and equal protection under the law (14th), and provided voting rights regardless of race (15th).

Rise of Radical Republicans

This faction of the Republican Party, advocating for more aggressive measures to secure rights for freed slaves, played a significant role in shaping Reconstruction policies.

Passage of Reconstruction Acts

These Acts established new governments in the South, enfranchised African American men, and temporarily disenfranchised certain Confederate officials.

Southern Resistance and Reconstruction’s Erosion

There was significant resistance in the South against Reconstruction policies, leading to the rise of groups like the Ku Klux Klan and the undermining of the reforms through violence and intimidation.

Compromise and Bargaining

As the nation sought to heal and reunite, political compromises were made, leading to the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and a gradual shift in priorities away from protecting the rights of African Americans.

Economic Shifts and National Priorities

Economic concerns, industrialization, and a desire for unity shifted national attention away from Reconstruction policies.

Legal Challenges

Supreme Court decisions, like the 1876 ruling in United States v. Cruikshank, limited the federal government’s ability to enforce civil rights laws, further weakening the Reconstruction efforts