Role of congress

How could Congress take action?

The Radical Republicans led by 2 enthusiasts for civil rights (Representative Thaddeus Stevens + Senator Charles Sumner) were persuasive and influential advocates for change

How were they helped by Congress?C

Congress established a federal institution in Mar 1865, called Freedman’s Bureau, to help the emancipated slaves by giving education, food, shelter and hospitals

What was established in Dec 1865?

A joint Congressional Committee of Fifteen, which pushed through the 14th and 15th amendments

What else did the committee do?

Sanctioned military support for the Reconstruction measures in the South, federal force would not be used again in this way until the 1950s

What was the Civil Rights Act 1875?

All citizens were entitled to ‘the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of inns, public conveyances, theatres or other places of public amusement

What happened with the Congressional measures of 1866 and 1867?

Passed in the teeth of opposition from the president, and a bitter dispute led to Johnson being impeached, by Congress

What did Johnson’s successor do?

Ulysses S. Grant worked more closely with the Congress, and used federal troops to support the legislation

What did the 14th amendment do?

Passed in June 1866, but ratified 2 years later, this declared that no state could deny ny person full rights as an American citizen

What else did the 14th amendment say?

All had entitlement to ‘due process of law’to ensure ‘the equal protection of the law and to all the rights, privileges and immunities of citizens’

What did the 15th amendment say in 1870?

Ensured that ‘the rights of citizens shall not be denied or abridged by any state on the account of race’. AAs gained the right to vote