Reconstruction Era

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War.

Reconstruction

The period following the Civil War during which the Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union.

13th Amendment

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that abolished slavery.

Black Codes

Laws passed by Southern states to restrict the rights of freed African Americans.

Radical Republicans

A faction of the Republican Party that sought to impose harsher terms on the South during Reconstruction.

14th Amendment

Amendment granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Legislation declaring African Americans are citizens and prohibiting states from making laws that infringe on their rights.

Tenure of Office Act

A law that restricted the president's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval.

Impeachment

The process by which a sitting president can be charged with misconduct and removed from office.

Military Reconstruction

The period during which the South was placed under military rule to enforce federal laws and protect the rights of African Americans.

Pardon Power

The authority of the president to grant forgiveness for offenses against the federal government.