CNTXT: Challenges faced by US in 1865, Post Civil War

context before reconstruction

what was the aftermath of the Civil War?

• 700K Americans killed

• family, friends divided

• Lincoln’s assassination

what was the South like after the Civil War?

• deeply scarred

• forcibly reintegrated into the North

• reconstruction

• slavery moulded social and racial attitudes, shown in religion/politics/business ( segregation )

what was the North like after the Civil War?

• rapid economic modernisation

• growth of railroads, canals enabling rapid industrial development

• large numbers of immigrants from northern Europe

• abolitionist movement - the fight for the abolition of slavery led by Northern activists

what was the West like after the Civil War?

• determined to westward expansion

• disputes had slowed down expansion

• Manifest Destiny = the belief that the expansion of the US across the entire American continent was their god-given right and inevitable. US was superior, “founded on a creed”, “natural rights”

when + what was the 13th Amendment?

1865, abolished slavery

when + what was the Civil Rights Act?

1866, gives citizenship to American-born males

when + what was the 14th Amendment?

1866, equal citizenship and voting rights

when + what was the 15th Amendment?

1869, outlaws voting discrimination on race