T H E R E C O N S T R U C T I O N A M E N D M E N T S

EVOLVING POLITICS OF RACE

FOCUS QUESTION:

OBJECTIVES

• After today’s lesson, you will:• Outline the causes and effects of the

Reconstruction Amendments• Outline the role of sectional discord in the

Reconstruction Era

AMENDMENT XIII

Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.

• Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

PRESIDENTIAL RECONSTRUCTION

• Proposed by Andrew Johnson• Prompted by a desire to curb radicals from both

parties• Supported the 10% Plan• Required states to ratify the 13th Amendment

SOUTHERN RESPONSES

• Three states quickly abided by 10% Plan in 1865• Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas

• Elected former Confederates to the House and Senate• Infuriated the North• Refused to seat these congressmen

• Sets up an issue with President Johnson

PRESSING THE ISSUE

• Numerous Southern states pass a series of Black Codes• Laws designed to restrict behavior of African-

Americans• Draconian work rules• Rules for travel• Rules for public gatherings• Rules for carrying weapons

• Clear violation of Civil Liberties

CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1866

• Both Radical and Moderate Republicans angered• Black Codes attempted to erase the results of

the War• Passed the first Civil Rights Act in 1866

• Vetoed by President Johnson• Violated the states rights clause of the

Constitution• Ruined his chance to forge a national coalition

party• Veto overridden by Congress

AMENDMENT XIV

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.

Section 1.• All persons born or naturalized in the United

States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

MILITARY RECONSTRUCTION

• Congress Passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867• Placed the former Confederacy under military

occupation• Divided into 5 military districts• Civil order kept by U.S. troops

• Required new elections of Southern government officials• Required new constitutions which gave

Freedmen the vote• Required states to ratify the 14th Amendment

AMENDMENT XV

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.

• The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

SUMMARY

• In a short response of 2 to 3 sentences, what would you explain to an absent classmate the most important thing you learned in class today.