The creation and ratification of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments were one of the first important characteristics of the Reconstruction Era. “In the five years following the Civil War, the U.S. Congress passed and the states ratified the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. These amendments permanently ended slavery and granted African Americans access to civil rights and suffrage as citizens of the United States” (Wright,1). These amendments paved the way for future civil rights going forward, and also were critical for newly freed slaves' ability to gain their rights during the Reconstruction Era. The next important characteristic was the Enforcement Act. “The Enforcement Act was, in fact, three separate laws that Congress passed between 1870 and 1871. These acts were specifically designed to protect African Americans’ right to vote, to hold office, to serve on juries, and to receive equal protection of laws” (Wright, 1). These Enforcement Acts were vital because there were still people in the south that disagreed with the Amendments and The creation and ratification of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments were one of the first important characteristics of the Reconstruction Era. “In the five years following the Civil War, the U.S. Congress passed and the states ratified the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. These amendments permanently ended slavery and granted African Americans access to civil rights and suffrage as citizens of the United States” (Wright,1). These amendments paved the way for future civil rights going forward, and also were critical for newly freed slaves' ability to gain their rights during the Reconstruction Era. The next important characteristic was the Enforcement Act. “The Enforcement Act was, in fact, three separate laws that Congress passed between 1870 and 1871. These acts were specifically designed to protect African Americans’ right to vote, to hold office, to serve on juries, and to receive equal protection of laws” (Wright, 1). These Enforcement Acts were vital because there were still people in the south that disagreed with the Amendments and abolishment of slavery which led to violence and resistance against these changes. Therefore, the president issued these acts to protect African Americans’ rights. Lastly, there was also was an organization that helped newly freed slaves by providing essentials to them like food, education, shelter, and unemployment. While slaves were now free many lacked opportunities or money to buy land or gain fair employment. This affected their ability to have the essentials of life which caused many of them to work in poor conditions for their former owners. Additionally, it hindered their ability to get proper education and a truly free life. This organization help provide newly freed slaves with opportunities economically and educate them so that they could obtain a type of life that was fair and one they desired. These all were put into play to help create freedom for newly freed slaves; however, they were not as successful as one would hope because of the resistance and obstacles that our government faced. I do think it is important to note that these characteristics helped pave the way for fair rights for everyone in history just because they were implemented. My own definition of freedom is fairness and opportunity for all regardless of their race, religion, gender, economic status, or presence of disability. All people should have the same human rights and not be discriminated against or threatened because they are different. Everyone should have a right to vote, and be able to be part of making changes to our government, laws, and way of life. I think my view is very similar to the view the government had back during the Reconstruction Era. However, like back then and even today, there are obstacles, opposition, and different ideologies in the world that hinder freedom from happening. We will always be faced with differences and acts of hatred from people. We have to learn to face it just like we had to face difficult times in our history so that these freedoms can be provided to all.
Ultimately the protection of civil rights under the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments was an important component of our history, and a win for our nation then and even now. Many African American leaders and activists sought equal rights, education, freedom, and voting rights. They continued to organize and fight for their rights regardless of intimidation, violence, or groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Even though there were these amendments the Supreme Court often ruled against allowing a federal power from enforcing equal protection. They interpreted law that allowed black discrimination practices to continue in the south. In the Plessy vs. Ferguson case the Supreme Court set a precedent that even allowed segregation. Plessy sat in a white only section of the car train. He refused to move and was arrested. A black activist group fought for rights for this case all the way to the Supreme Court. They thought the white car section violated Plessy’s constitutional rights under the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendment. “The Plessy decision set the precedent that “separate” facilities for blacks and whites were Constitutional as long as they were equal” (PBS, 1). This limited the ability of the government to fully enforce those new amendments and the South started to regain some state power back which created obstacles for newly freed slaves. Additionally, many Redeemers, who were Southern ex-confederates, were able to gain back more state control which led to things like the Jim Crow laws and separate but equal laws. Redeemers interrupted the progress that was made for civil rights during the Reconstruction Era. The Redeemer and the Democratic South wanted to get back their political power and control once again. While the Reconstruction Era was meant to be a time to gain fair rights for newly freed slaves and to have the South re-integrate back into the Union it was not as successful as it was supposed to be because of opposition to change. Groups arose like the KKK to fight against this change. Because of the resistance and difference of opinions the Redemption Era came about. The Redemption Era was when white Southern Democrats regained some control back politically and essentially ended the Reconstruction Era. The Redeemers, Activists, and Supreme Court all played an essential role during this period of time that shaped history.
Work Cited
Foner, Eric. “Why Reconstruction Matters.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/opinion/sunday/why-reconstruction-matters.html.
PBS. “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow . Jim Crow Stories . Plessy v. Ferguson | PBS.” Thirteen PBS, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_plessy.html. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Wright, Kianna. “The Enforcement Act of 1870 (1870-1871) •.” Black Past, 12 Dec. 2019, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-enforcement-act-of-1870-1870-1871/.
Ultimately the protection of civil rights under the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments was an important component of our history, and a win for our nation then and even now. Many African American leaders and activists sought equal rights, education, freedom, and voting rights. They continued to organize and fight for their rights regardless of intimidation, violence, or groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Even though there were these amendments the Supreme Court often ruled against allowing a federal power from enforcing equal protection. They interpreted law that allowed black discrimination practices to continue in the south. In the Plessy vs. Ferguson case the Supreme Court set a precedent that even allowed segregation. Plessy sat in a white only section of the car train. He refused to move and was arrested. A black activist group fought for rights for this case all the way to the Supreme Court. They thought the white car section violated Plessy’s constitutional rights under the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendment. “The Plessy decision set the precedent that “separate” facilities for blacks and whites were Constitutional as long as they were equal” (PBS, 1). This limited the ability of the government to fully enforce those new amendments and the South started to regain some state power back which created obstacles for newly freed slaves. Additionally, many Redeemers, who were Southern ex-confederates, were able to gain back more state control which led to things like the Jim Crow laws and separate but equal laws. Redeemers interrupted the progress that was made for civil rights during the Reconstruction Era. The Redeemer and the Democratic South wanted to get back their political power and control once again. While the Reconstruction Era was meant to be a time to gain fair rights for newly freed slaves and to have the South re-integrate back into the Union it was not as successful as it was supposed to be because of opposition to change. Groups arose like the KKK to fight against this change. Because of the resistance and difference of opinions the Redemption Era came about. The Redemption Era was when white Southern Democrats regained some control back politically and essentially ended the Reconstruction Era. The Redeemers, Activists, and Supreme Court all played an essential role during this period of time that shaped history.
Work Cited
Foner, Eric. “Why Reconstruction Matters.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/opinion/sunday/why-reconstruction-matters.html.
PBS. “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow . Jim Crow Stories . Plessy v. Ferguson | PBS.” Thirteen PBS, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_plessy.html. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Wright, Kianna. “The Enforcement Act of 1870 (1870-1871) •.” Black Past, 12 Dec. 2019, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-enforcement-act-of-1870-1870-1871/.