3 Important Characteristics of the Reconstruction Era:
The Reconstruction Era reshaped the nation's political, social, and economic landscape. Among its many complexities three of its main characteristics were the addition of three new Amendments, sharecropping and labor changes, and the Freedmen's Bureau. The ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865 formally abolished slavery in America. The 14th and 15th amendment gave freed slaves equal protection under the law, and the right to vote. African Americans were now legally free and promised new rights which would allow them to participate in society; these rights were severely undermined, especially in the South. So although these formally expanded the definitions of freedom the reality for African Americans was still marked by struggle and an incomplete freedom. After the abolishment of slavery there was a huge shift in southern economy from a slave-based system to one of sharecropping and tenant farming although the 13th amendment abolished slavery it did not provide a clear and economic path for the millions of freed African Americans. Many newly freed slaves came to realize freedom did not guarantee economic independence or the ability to buy their own land. Sharecropping emerged as a system in which African Americans as well as poor whites rented land in exchange for a portion of their harvest. However they were often in debt creating a cycle of poverty and dependence much like slavery. This economic system denied former slaves their freedom, denied them control over their labor and perpetuated the dominance of Southern landowners over them. They were legally free but still had to live by the rules of their landowners. Another important part of the Reconstruction was the creation of the Freedmen's Bureau; the bureau's mission was to provide support to newly freed slaves as well as education. healthcare and opportunities they helped establish schools and spread education. The bureau played a major role in the reconstruction because even though their success was limited due to resistance, they pushed that more was necessary to obtain true freedom then the only the laws changing.
How Congress Achievements were Met:
Congress made significant strides in trying to establish equal protection under the law for African Americans. The creation of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments represents an effort in trying to enforce civil rights and equality after the Civil War. However the path to achieving these objectives was met with opposition and challenges. The redeemers (Southern white supremacists) saw the new Amendments as a threat to the social order that existed before the Civil War, and believed these laws were a violation of state rights. Trying to resist the changes brought about by Congress they often used violence and intimidation against African Americans. This includes the organization of the Klu Klux Klan which sought to terrorize African Americans and especially prevent them from voting. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendment was created to give equal protection, however the Supreme Court often undermined this. The Court's ruling often supported state rights and white people over the rights of African Americans. For example in the case of the United States vs. Cruikshank (1876) the court's decision in this case effectively rendered the government powerless to protect African Americans from violence by private citizens. However the Activists, including both African American and white people, worked to hold Congress accountable to it’s promises of protection for African Americans. Despite hostility from the redeemers and the unhelpfulness of the Supreme Court their efforts helped build organizations, defend their rights and provide a basis for future civil rights movements.
The Reconstruction Era reshaped the nation's political, social, and economic landscape. Among its many complexities three of its main characteristics were the addition of three new Amendments, sharecropping and labor changes, and the Freedmen's Bureau. The ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865 formally abolished slavery in America. The 14th and 15th amendment gave freed slaves equal protection under the law, and the right to vote. African Americans were now legally free and promised new rights which would allow them to participate in society; these rights were severely undermined, especially in the South. So although these formally expanded the definitions of freedom the reality for African Americans was still marked by struggle and an incomplete freedom. After the abolishment of slavery there was a huge shift in southern economy from a slave-based system to one of sharecropping and tenant farming although the 13th amendment abolished slavery it did not provide a clear and economic path for the millions of freed African Americans. Many newly freed slaves came to realize freedom did not guarantee economic independence or the ability to buy their own land. Sharecropping emerged as a system in which African Americans as well as poor whites rented land in exchange for a portion of their harvest. However they were often in debt creating a cycle of poverty and dependence much like slavery. This economic system denied former slaves their freedom, denied them control over their labor and perpetuated the dominance of Southern landowners over them. They were legally free but still had to live by the rules of their landowners. Another important part of the Reconstruction was the creation of the Freedmen's Bureau; the bureau's mission was to provide support to newly freed slaves as well as education. healthcare and opportunities they helped establish schools and spread education. The bureau played a major role in the reconstruction because even though their success was limited due to resistance, they pushed that more was necessary to obtain true freedom then the only the laws changing.
How Congress Achievements were Met:
Congress made significant strides in trying to establish equal protection under the law for African Americans. The creation of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments represents an effort in trying to enforce civil rights and equality after the Civil War. However the path to achieving these objectives was met with opposition and challenges. The redeemers (Southern white supremacists) saw the new Amendments as a threat to the social order that existed before the Civil War, and believed these laws were a violation of state rights. Trying to resist the changes brought about by Congress they often used violence and intimidation against African Americans. This includes the organization of the Klu Klux Klan which sought to terrorize African Americans and especially prevent them from voting. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendment was created to give equal protection, however the Supreme Court often undermined this. The Court's ruling often supported state rights and white people over the rights of African Americans. For example in the case of the United States vs. Cruikshank (1876) the court's decision in this case effectively rendered the government powerless to protect African Americans from violence by private citizens. However the Activists, including both African American and white people, worked to hold Congress accountable to it’s promises of protection for African Americans. Despite hostility from the redeemers and the unhelpfulness of the Supreme Court their efforts helped build organizations, defend their rights and provide a basis for future civil rights movements.