2.3-2.4 notes part 4

Civil War and Reconstruction: The time frame of 1861-1877 marked significant challenges in preserving the Union post-Civil War, focusing particularly on the rights of African Americans.

Definition: The Black Codes were laws created in the South after the Civil War to restrict the rights of African Americans.
Purpose: They were intended to maintain white supremacy and control over the labor force by limiting the rights of newly freed slaves.
Comparison to Black Codes: They were unapologetically referenced as a means of political subjugation of African Americans.

Radical Republicans intended to enfranchise African Americans, but Southern legislatures employed various tactics to deny rights promised in the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Supreme Court Decisions (1873): The Court allowed states to set their own criteria for voting rights, leading to discriminatory practices like poll taxes and literacy tests which targeted black voters specifically.
Grandfather Clause: A law that allowed individuals to vote only if their grandfather had voted before, effectively excluding former slaves and their descendants from suffrage.

Formation: The Ku Klux Klan was formed in 1866, initially as an economic group but quickly evolved into a racist organization using violence to counteract African American progress.
Violent Tactics: The KKK used intimidation, threats, and violence to enforce Black Codes and prevent African Americans from voting.
Notable Figures: Nathan Bedford Forrest served as its leader, and the organization resorted to methods including lynching and racketeering.
Government Response: President Ulysses S. Grant utilized legislation, such as the 1870 Force Act, to combat KKK violence but struggled to curtail new groups that emerged.

Grant was initially supported by Radical Republicans but lacked the mandate to pursue aggressive Reconstruction policies due to political climate changes.
His presidency was marked by attempts to pass the 15th Amendment and enforce African Americans’ rights, faced significant challenges from increasing Democratic power in the South.

Decline of Radical Republicanism: Inspired by a combination of scandals and exhaustive efforts, the radical momentum diminished.
In the 1874 midterm elections, Democrats regained control of the Senate, demonstrating waning support for Reconstruction and increased difficulty in enforcing reforms.
The Amnesty Act (1872) restored political rights to many former Confederates, indicating a trend towards reconciliation and abandonment of Radical policies.

Enforcement Acts of 1870-71: Aimed to implement protections for African Americans, enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments, and combat voter suppression.
Civil Rights Act of 1875: Intended to outlaw segregation but fell short of enforcement. Its constitutionality was later struck down by the Supreme Court in 1883.

Marked the end of Reconstruction; an agreement emerged after the contentious election of 1876 where disputed states and allegations of electoral fraud were prevalent.
Republican Rutherford B. Hayes needed 185 Electoral College votes to win. The breakdown in the election was as follows:
- Electoral College Votes:
- Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican): 165
- Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat): 184
- Undetermined: 20 (Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina)
Disputed Votes: Allegations of violence against black voters were rampant. In key states, conflicting results caused disputes over who rightfully held power.
The Commission: A bipartisan commission was formed to resolve disputes with mixed representation from the Parties, ultimately favoring Hayes' electoral win, signaling the end of Radical Reconstruction efforts.

End of Reconstruction: By 1876, the South was largely governed by Redeemer governments, signaling a shift back to conservative control and a reluctance to enforce civil rights for African Americans.
The era after Reconstruction illustrated a national shift in priorities towards economic interests, ignoring ongoing racial violence and rights issues.