Reconstruction
 
 
Introduction
The Surrender of the Confederacy
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
The Ascension of Johnson
The New Amendments
Civil Rights Act of 1866
The Radical Republicans
The Military Districts
Re-building the Southern Economy
Re-Admission to the Union
The Freedmen's Bureau
Riots in the South
Impeachment
Scalawags and Carpetbaggers
Jim Crow Laws
Election of 1869
Compromise of 1877

Readmission

Coming back to the Union

The end of the American Civil War marked the beginning of a long and difficult process of Reconstruction, during which the Southern states had to meet certain conditions before they could be readmitted to the Union. These conditions, known as the Reconstruction Acts, were designed to ensure that the Southern states would embrace the principles of freedom and equality for all citizens, regardless of race.

The Reconstruction Acts were passed by Congress in 1867 and applied to the Southern states that had seceded from the Union. These states were required to meet several conditions before they could be readmitted to the Union. The conditions included the following:

  1. Ratify the 14th Amendment: The 14th Amendment to the Constitution granted citizenship rights to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including African Americans. The Southern states were required to ratify this amendment to be readmitted to the Union.

  2. Adopt new state constitutions: The Southern states were required to adopt new state constitutions that guaranteed African Americans the right to vote and hold office. These new constitutions also had to be approved by Congress.

  3. Disenfranchise former Confederate officials: The Southern states were required to disenfranchise former Confederate officials and military officers from holding any public office. This was to prevent them from regaining political power and perpetuating their discriminatory practices.

  4. Guarantee equal protection under the law: The Southern states were required to guarantee equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of race. This meant that African Americans could not be denied the right to vote or hold office, and they had to be given the same legal protections as white citizens.

  5. Accept federal military rule: The Southern states were placed under federal military rule until they met these conditions. This meant that the military would be in charge of enforcing these new requirements and ensuring that the Southern states complied with the new laws.

The Reconstruction Acts were a crucial part of the process of rebuilding the country after the Civil War. They were designed to ensure that the Southern states would not repeat the mistakes of the past and that all citizens would be treated equally under the law. While the process of Reconstruction was far from perfect, it helped pave the way for the full citizenship rights of African Americans. The Reconstruction Acts also laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement of the 20th century, which sought to further extend and protect the rights of all citizens.