Reconstruction Era: 15th Amendment, Black Codes, and Federal Enforcement

15th amendment

Gave voting rights to African American men and prohibited states from denying a citizen's right to vote for race, color, or former servitude.

White terror, southern redeemers, and compromise of 1877

Refers to the violence and intimidation faced by Republicans, both black and white, in the South, and the political compromise that ended Reconstruction.

Civil Rights Act of 1870

Also known as the First Ku Klux Klan Act or the Force Act, this act gave the President the power to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment.

Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871

Made private criminal acts against voting rights federal crimes.

Second Enforcement Act

Passed in February 1871 and signed into law on February 28, 1871.

Conservative Redeemer Democrats

White democrats in the south who called themselves conservatives to distinguish from other democrats.

Compromise of 1877

An agreement where Democrats would not oppose Hayes winning the election in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South.

Legacy of Reconstruction

Former slaves tried to achieve dignity and equality in American life, and African Americans created or strengthened their own institutions.

Political power in the South post-Reconstruction

In little more than a decade, the South was right back where it started in terms of political power.

Enforcement acts 1870-71

Three criminal codes passed by Congress to protect the rights of African Americans and combat the Ku Klux Klan.

Radical Republican regimes

By 1876, most of these regimes had been ousted from power.

Southern view of Reconstruction

Most southern whites viewed Reconstruction as a tragedy.

Federal enforcement of Reconstruction

The North lost interest in enforcing Reconstruction policies.

African American institutions

During Reconstruction, African Americans created or strengthened their own institutions.

Political violence in the South

Southerners terrorized and killed Republicans, both black and white.

Women's suffrage during Reconstruction

Women's suffrage would have to wait as the focus was on African American men's voting rights.

Reconstruction limitations

Reconstruction is notable for its limitations, as it did not lead to lasting political change in the South.

Electoral votes in 1877

Democrats agreed not to contest the 19 electoral votes if Hayes won the election.

African American dignity and equality

Former slaves sought to achieve dignity and equality in American life during and after Reconstruction.

Reconstruction era end

The era ended with the Compromise of 1877.

Lincoln's 10% Plan

Required that 10% of the voters within the Confederate states swear allegiance to the Union and recognize the emancipation of former slaves.

Freedmen's Bureau

An agency that negotiated labor contracts, provided medical care, food, clothing, set up schools, helped locate lost family members, and legalized marriages for those who couldn't marry before or during the war.

Assassination of Lincoln

Lincoln was shot in the back of the head by a Confederate and died 9 hours later; he was brought to a small room after the shooting.

Radical Republicans

A group that opposed Lincoln's plan, seeking a sweeping transformation of southern society to make blacks full citizens and dismantle the planter elites.

Wade Davis Bill

Required that a majority of white male citizens swear allegiance to the Union rather than 10%; it passed both houses but Lincoln refused to sign it.

Andrew Johnson

Took over the Presidency after Lincoln's death; a southern unionist who hated the planter elite and wanted states to return to the Union.

Presidential Reconstruction

A phase of Reconstruction led by the President, particularly under Lincoln's policies.

Congressional Reconstruction

A phase of Reconstruction that emphasized Congress's role in overseeing the process rather than the President.

Lincoln's Assassination

An event where a Confederate shot Lincoln and subsequently stabbed his aide before jumping on the stage.

Small Farmers and Middle Class Republicans

Groups that Radical Republicans hoped to invoke the interest of in place of the planter elite.

Union Troops

Military forces that patrolled cities after Lincoln's assassination to maintain order.

Delirium of Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln was in a state of delirium following her husband's assassination.

Pardon in Lincoln's Plan

Lincoln planned to pardon all members of the Confederate states except for high-ranking military and civil officers.

Legalized Marriages

Freedmen's Bureau helped to legalize marriages for individuals who were unable to marry before or during the war.

Teachers in Freedmen's Bureau Schools

Many of the teachers were women who were volunteers from the North.

Assistance to Free Slaves

Lincoln rushed assistance to free slaves in the South as part of his Reconstruction efforts.

Racism of Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson was extremely racist, which influenced his Reconstruction policies.

Indestructible States

Andrew Johnson believed that the states were indestructible and should return to the Union.

Civil Officers

Members of the Confederate states who were not pardoned under Lincoln's 10% Plan if they failed to treat Black soldiers and officers properly.

Lincoln's Plan for Reconstruction

Aimed to reintegrate the Southern states into the Union with leniency, focusing on allegiance and emancipation.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

Unreconstructed Southerners

Former Confederates who were part of state legislatures and Southern US Congress.

Race Riots

Violent events where white mobs began murdering African Americans in cities like New Orleans and Memphis.

Black Codes

Laws restricting the freedoms of African Americans, varying from state to state.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

The first federal law to define citizenship and affirm equal protection under the law for all citizens.

14th Amendment

Granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States, excluding Indians, and protected them from state infringement on life, liberty, or property.

Military Reconstruction Act

Legislation that divided the former Confederate states into five military districts governed by Union generals.

Requirements for Readmission

Conditions for former Confederate states to rejoin the Union, including ratifying the 14th Amendment and drafting a new constitution.

Protection of African Americans

The Military Reconstruction Act included provisions to protect the voting rights and physical safety of African Americans.

Limitations on Former Confederate Officials

The act temporarily limited the voting rights and ability to run for public office of some former Confederate officials and military officers.

Disarm Radicals

Efforts to prevent radicals from giving African Americans the right to vote.

Pay Off War Debt

Requirement for Confederate states to settle their financial obligations as part of Reconstruction.

State Convention of Elected Delegates

A requirement for former Confederate states to hold a convention to draft a new constitution establishing voting rights.

Harsh Labors

Conditions forced upon unemployed blacks due to Black Codes, often resulting from inability to pay fines.

No Intermarriage Between Races

A provision in Black Codes that prohibited marriages between races, with severe penalties for violations.

Deprivation of Freedmen's Rights

Black Codes that deprived freedmen of voting, jury service, and testifying in court against whites.

Division of the South

The first act of the Military Reconstruction Act that divided the South into five military districts.

Register Voters

A requirement for military commanders in the districts established by the Military Reconstruction Act.

Republicans Denied Seats

The action taken by Republicans to exclude former Confederates from holding political office.