African American Opposition - Political Flashcards
What were Andrew Johnson’s term dates?
1865-1869 (just 4 years - thus didn’t win reelection)
Who assumed presidency upon Lincoln’s assassination
Andrew Johnson
What was Andrew Johnson’s background?
- Moderate Democrat
- From the South (North Carolina)
- Held pro-slavery views
- Supported the union
How did Andrew Johnson oppose the progression of African American Civil Rights?
- Attempted to block legislature drafted by Radical Republicans in congress, by vetoing it
- Pardoned many southern rebels
- Wanted to immediately readmit Southern States back into the union, without Northern influence which would allow them to control their own reconstruction
How effective was Johnson in his opposition to Civil Rights?
Almost completely ineffective - a consistent 2/3’s majority in congress overrode his veto, and his impeachment trial significantly reduced his political influence, which led to him serving out the rest of his term quietly
When was the Hayes compromise?
1877
What was the Hayes compromise?
Democrats would accept Rutherford B Hayes as the new President following a disputed election, in return for Northern troops leaving the South
What was the impact of the Hayes Compromise?
End of Reconstruction
What was the impact of the end of reconstruction?
States regaining control over their territory allowed
- White Southerners to retain their old way of life
- Limit some of the rights African Americans possessed
What was the impact of Grant’s corruption?
It undermined his authority and ended up giving more power to the states throughout reconstruction
What did the Slaughterhouse Case determine?
Asserted states rights, ruling that civil rights should stay under the control of the state rather than federal control. Whilst the 14th amendment protected a person’s individual rights it did not protect his or her state civil rights.
What did the US v. Cruikshank case determine?
Ruled that Federal authorities were only able to take action against the states rather than individuals, implemented following over a hundred arrests by Federal authorities, which prevented federal intervention in the Jim Crow era
When was the US v. Cruikshank ruling?
1876
When was the Slaughterhouse Case?
1873
Name 5 voting requirements implemented by Southern States?
- Poll Tax
- Property qualifications (some states required you to own $300 or 400 acres worth of land)
- Literacy tests (intentionally ambiguous questions)
- Grandfather clauses (if you’re grandfather couldn’t vote neither could you)
- Residency requirements
Why were the voting requirements implemented?
To prevent black people from voting in the south
Name 3 Presidents who favoured states rights over civil rights?
- Grover Cleveland (D)
- William Howard Taft (R)
- Warren Harding (R)
What Congressional Act did the Supreme Court rule unconstitutional?
The Civil Rights Act 1875
What was the republican congress’s standpoint on Civil Rights throughout the Gilded Age?
Were not prepared to interfere in Southern States - maintaining the compromise of 1877
What were Woodrow Wilson’s policies regarding Civil Rights?
- Segregated government agencies
- Appointed segregationist southerners to his administration
- Dismissed all black advisors in the federal government
Why did President’s not take action against Civil Rights in the Gilded Age?
They realised it was not productive for their political career since they knew black people couldn’t and there was strong anti Civil Rights sentiment from White Supremacists who could vote
When was Plessy v. Furgusson?
1896
What did Plessy v. Furgusson determine?
Ruled that the segregation of rail cars was legal so long as the facilities were equal, which set the precedent for all forms of segregation
Which Supreme Court case ruled that poll tax and similar devices were legal?
Mississippi v. Williams (1898)
Give an example of limited Black voting registry in a town
Selma, Alabama 1965
50% of the total population, but only 1% of African Americans were registered to vote
