Free at Last Flashcards
When was the 13th Amendment?
1865
What did the 13th Amendment do?
- Abolished slavery
- Allowed freedom of movement
When was the 14th Amendment?
1868
What did the 14th Amendment do?
- Gave all citizens equal protection under the law
When was the 15th Amendment?
1870
What did the 15th Amendment do?
- Gave all black males the right to vote
What was special field order #15?
400,000 acres of land previously confederate land was offered to newly emancipated black families in 1865
Why did special field order #15 fail?
Because Johnson returned the lands to southern owners who took a loyalty oath
What was the Freedmen’s bureau?
Established by Congress to help former slaves and poor whites in the South. Provided:
- food
- education
- medical aid
- housing aid
Why did the Freedmen’s bureau fail?
It shut down in 1872 due to government under funding
When was the Military Reconstruction Act?
1867
What did the Military Reconstruction Act do?
Divided the former confederate states into 5 zones of military occupation, and only allowed them to return to the union if they:
- allowed black voting
- ratified the 14th amendment
- forbade former confederates from holding office
When was the Enforcement Act?
1870
What did the Enforcement Act do?
Introduced penalties against anyone who interfered with another citizen’s constitutional rights
What did the Second Enforcement Act do?
Placed the election of congressmen under federal surveillance
When was the KKK Act?
1871
What did the KKK Act do?
Gave federal troops power to arrest KKK members
When was presidential reconstruction?
1865-66
When was radical reconstruction?
1867-77
Memphis mob
In 1866, a white mob in Memphis killed 40 black men
Turning point in reconstruction (good)
The congressional elections of 1866, where radical republicans made a large gain in seats
When was the Civil Rights Act?
1875
What was the aim of the Civil Rights Act?
To prevent discrimination in public places
Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unsuccessful?
- Burden of enforcement was placed upon black litigants
- In 1883 it was ruled unconstitutional (now the responsibility of the state)
KKK members
Had 500,000 members by 1871
KKK violence
In 1870, the KKK got away with the destruction of 25 black schools the murder of 50 black teachers
Prevention of black voting Mississipi
In 1875 on election day, whites incited riots which in which hundreds of black people were killed
When was the end of reconstruction?
1877
Reasons for the end of reconstruction
- Influence of radical republicans declined
- North wanted to focus on the North
- Economic depression of 1873 = desire to improve North-South relations
