The Reconstruction Period - Key Dates

Question 1

Civil War

Answer 1

April 1861 - April 1865 - Confederates (Southern States) vs Union (Northern States)

Question 2

Emancipation Proclamation

Answer 2

1st January 1863 - declaration by President Lincoln that slavery was abolished in the rebel states

Question 3

Freedmen’s Bureau

Answer 3

3rd March 1865, provided aid to the both black and whites in the South. It provided food, shelter, and medical aid for those made destitute by the Civil War and newly freed African Americans.

Question 4

Lincoln’s Assassination

Answer 4

14th April 1865, shot by John Wilkes. Died next day (15th April 1865)

Question 5

Ratification of 13th Amendment

Answer 5

6th December 1865, abolishes slavery in all states - prerequisite to readmission of the Union

Question 6

The Civil Rights Act (1866)

Answer 6

1866 - 2/3 Congress’ vote overode the President’s veto - confirmed that ALL citizens had EQUAL rights + citizenship

Question 7

Military Reconstruction Acts

Answer 7

1867-8
5 military districts formed in Confederate states excluding Tennessee
Each state was required to write a new constitution which had to be approved by Congress
Confederate states had to ratify the 14th Amendment
Ex-slaves had the right to vote, hold political offices and become judges and police chiefs.

Question 8

14th Amendment Ratified

Answer 8

July 1868, granted citizenship to all ‘born or naturalized’ in the USA.

Question 9

Grant replaces Johnson as US President

Answer 9

1869

Question 10

15th Amendment Ratified

Answer 10

3rd February 1870, gave voting rights to all people regardless of their race.

Question 11

3rd Enforcement Act

Answer 11

April 1871, empowered the president to use the armed forces to combat those who conspired to deny equal protection of the laws and to suspend habeas corpus, if necessary, to enforce the act. Direct response to the KKK.

Question 12

Civil Rights Act (1875)

Answer 12

1875 - Allows access to theatres, restrooms, transport etc.