Reconstruction and Citizenship for Black Americans

These flashcards cover key concepts, events, and figures related to the Reconstruction era and its impact on Black Americans.

What were some key questions regarding the aftermath of the Civil War?

1. How to bring the South back into the Union? 2. How to rebuild the South after its destruction? 3. How to integrate and protect newly-emancipated Black freedmen? 4. What branch of government should control the Reconstruction process?

What was President Lincoln's 10% Plan?

It required 10% of the 1860 voting population in a state to swear loyalty to the Union for the state to be recognized.

What was the Wade-Davis Bill?

It required 50% of voters to swear an 'iron clad' oath of allegiance and was aimed at safeguarding the liberties of freedmen.

What was President Johnson's stance during Reconstruction?

Johnson was a Democrat, anti-aristocrat, and believed that whites alone should rule the South.

What did the Freedmen's Bureau aim to achieve?

It aimed to distribute food, establish schools, and help Black Americans acquire land and jobs.

What is Juneteenth?

A holiday on June 19, 1865, commemorating the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas.

What were the Black Codes?

Laws passed in 1865-1866 to deny social and economic gains to newly freed Black Americans.

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1866 accomplish?

It defined citizenship and gave the federal government authority to enforce civil rights.

What was the purpose of the Reconstruction Acts of 1867?

To divide the South into 5 military districts and secure Black suffrage.

Who were the Redeemers?

White Democrats who gained political power in the 1870s through violence and intimidation.

What was the importance of the 15th Amendment?

It granted Black male suffrage and aimed to secure voting rights for Black Americans.

What role did the Union League play during Reconstruction?

It organized political participation among Black southern officeholders and promoted civil rights.

What impact did sharecropping have on Black Americans?

Sharecropping resulted in a cycle of debt and economic dependency for Black farmers.

What was the significance of the Panic of 1873?

It led to economic instability and decreased support for Reconstruction efforts.

What did Jim Crow laws enforce?

They enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement across the Southern states.

What was the Compromise of 1877?

A deal that settled the 1876 presidential election, resulting in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South.

How did the Slaughterhouse Cases impact the application of the 14th Amendment?

They narrowed the definition of citizenship rights only applicable to ex-slaves.

What was the purpose of the Enforcement Acts (1870 & 1871)?

To prosecute individuals for hate crimes and secure voting rights for African Americans.

What was the primary goal of Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Compromise?

To prioritize economic gains for African Americans over political equality.

What was a major limitation of the 14th and 15th Amendments?

They did not guarantee the right to vote and could be bypassed by discriminatory practices.

What impact did the Ku Klux Klan have during Reconstruction?

It used intimidation and violence to secure white political power.

How did Northern support for Reconstruction change over time?

Support waned as economic issues and political scandals grew, leading to less focus on Reconstruction efforts.

What was the outcome of Johnson's impeachment?

He was acquitted in the Senate, falling short of the two-thirds vote required for removal.

What economic challenges did both Black and white southerners face post-war?

High interest rates and debt often led to poverty and economic instability.

What was significant about the Civil Rights Act of 1875?

It aimed to guarantee citizenship rights, leading to a series of civil rights cases in court.

What characterized the legacy of Reconstruction in the long term?

Overall, Reconstruction was seen as a failure due to deep-seated racism, segregation, and economic obstacles.