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Key Topics from the Presentation
The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era
• Historical Context: The Reconstruction era followed the Civil War, a time
aimed at reintegrating Southern states and rebuilding the nation.
• 13th Amendment: Officially ratified on December 18, 1865. It abolished
slavery, kick-starting the Reconstruction era.
• Key Figures:
• Andrew Johnson: Assumed presidency after Lincoln’s assassination,
his policies allowed Southern states more freedom, often hindering
racial justice.
• Radical Republicans: Pushed for African American rights and
established laws for equal protection.
Reconstruction under Johnson
• President Andrew Johnson offered the southern states a path back into
the United States without protecting the rights of all citizens .
• Johnson believed he should largely give southern states leeway to
pursure their own policies without federal interference.
• This gave southern governments the power to institute Black codes the
imposed social and economic control over formerly enslaved people.
Vision for Reconstruction
• Two Visions:
• White Supremacist Vision: Sought to maintain racial hierarchies with
black folks working under whites.
• Emancipationist Vision: Advocated for freedom, citizenship, and
equal rights for African Americans.
Amendments and Legislation
• 14th and 15th Amendments: Granted citizenship and voting rights to
African American men.
• Civil Rights Act of 1866: Defined all American-born residents as U.S.
citizens, excluding Native Americans.
Key Topics from the Presentation
The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era
• Historical Context: The Reconstruction era followed the Civil War, a time
aimed at reintegrating Southern states and rebuilding the nation.
• 13th Amendment: Officially ratified on December 18, 1865. It abolished
slavery, kick-starting the Reconstruction era.
• Key Figures:
• Andrew Johnson: Assumed presidency after Lincoln’s assassination,
his policies allowed Southern states more freedom, often hindering
racial justice.
• Radical Republicans: Pushed for African American rights and
established laws for equal protection.
Reconstruction under Johnson
• President Andrew Johnson offered the southern states a path back into
the United States without protecting the rights of all citizens .
• Johnson believed he should largely give southern states leeway to
pursure their own policies without federal interference.
• This gave southern governments the power to institute Black codes the
imposed social and economic control over formerly enslaved people.
Vision for Reconstruction
• Two Visions:
• White Supremacist Vision: Sought to maintain racial hierarchies with
black folks working under whites.
• Emancipationist Vision: Advocated for freedom, citizenship, and
equal rights for African Americans.
Amendments and Legislation
• 14th and 15th Amendments: Granted citizenship and voting rights to
African American men.
• Civil Rights Act of 1866: Defined all American-born residents as U.S.
citizens, excluding Native Americans.
