The Reconstruction Era, spanning from 1865 to 1877, was marked by significant developments that reshaped American society, particularly in the context of freedom for formerly enslaved individuals. Among the most significant steps of this period were that the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution were passed. These ensured the end of slavery and the beginning of civil rights and citizenship for African Americans. The Enforcement Act was created to protect the rights of African Americans (the right to vote, to hold office, and to receive equal protection of laws). Black political participation surged. Many former men slaves voted and even held public office, which was a development that shocked some and led to a backlash, especially from white Southerners who wanted to undo the gains through violence.
I think another thing that stands out is the Civil Rights Act of 1875 (which banned racial discrimination in public places), which seemed to have been short-lived, declared unconstitutional in 1883 because the Supreme Court ruled that it went beyond the federal government’s powers. The Court decided that the 14th Amendment only applied to actions by state governments, not private businesses or individual people. The law was seen as infringing on private property rights. Despite the progress, many white Southerners resisted the changes, and gangs like the KKK used violence to try to stop African Americans from exercising their new rights. This struggle revealed that legal freedom didn’t automatically mean true equality. One more interesting and important factor was the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was one of the first laws to curtail immigration into the country. It made it so that Chinese immigrants couldn’t come to the United States. It was the first law to specifically stop people from one country based on their race or nationality, and the law lasted for many years. It was meant to limit competition for jobs, even though Chinese workers had helped build railroads and contributed to the economy. These events highlight that Reconstruction was a complicated fight for real freedoms that involved laws, social programs, and the ongoing battles against racism and oppression. Compared to the Reconstruction Era, which started the country's journey toward civil rights, my idea of freedom today is much bigger. It includes things like social justice, economic fairness, and the right to make our own choices.
During the Redemption Era, things seemed to have gotten worse for African Americans. Instead of helping them, Congress allowed white Southern leaders, known as "Redeemers," to take control. This led to the end of Reconstruction in 1877 when federal troops were pulled out of the South, giving Southern states back their power. In 1883, the Supreme Court made a decision that allowed private businesses to discriminate, making it even harder for African Americans to be treated fairly. Southern states also passed Jim Crow laws, which forced African Americans and white people to be separated in public spaces, like schools and buses- as long as it was equal, it was fair. These changes took away many of the rights African Americans had gained during Reconstruction and created a system of segregation that lasted for years.
BlackPast. "The Enforcement Act of 1870 (1870-1871)." BlackPast.org, 6 Feb. 2025, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-enforcement-act-of-1870-1870-1871/.
"Events: The Civil Rights Act of 1875." Jim Crow: From Slavery to Segregation, WNET, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_civil.html.
"Events: The Uncivil Rights." Jim Crow: From Slavery to Segregation, WNET, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_uncivil.html.
"Chinese Exclusion Act." National Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act.
"Events: Plessy v. Ferguson." Jim Crow: From Slavery to Segregation, WNET, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_plessy.html.
I used Grammarly for grammar and spell check and Citation Machine for citation help.
I think another thing that stands out is the Civil Rights Act of 1875 (which banned racial discrimination in public places), which seemed to have been short-lived, declared unconstitutional in 1883 because the Supreme Court ruled that it went beyond the federal government’s powers. The Court decided that the 14th Amendment only applied to actions by state governments, not private businesses or individual people. The law was seen as infringing on private property rights. Despite the progress, many white Southerners resisted the changes, and gangs like the KKK used violence to try to stop African Americans from exercising their new rights. This struggle revealed that legal freedom didn’t automatically mean true equality. One more interesting and important factor was the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was one of the first laws to curtail immigration into the country. It made it so that Chinese immigrants couldn’t come to the United States. It was the first law to specifically stop people from one country based on their race or nationality, and the law lasted for many years. It was meant to limit competition for jobs, even though Chinese workers had helped build railroads and contributed to the economy. These events highlight that Reconstruction was a complicated fight for real freedoms that involved laws, social programs, and the ongoing battles against racism and oppression. Compared to the Reconstruction Era, which started the country's journey toward civil rights, my idea of freedom today is much bigger. It includes things like social justice, economic fairness, and the right to make our own choices.
During the Redemption Era, things seemed to have gotten worse for African Americans. Instead of helping them, Congress allowed white Southern leaders, known as "Redeemers," to take control. This led to the end of Reconstruction in 1877 when federal troops were pulled out of the South, giving Southern states back their power. In 1883, the Supreme Court made a decision that allowed private businesses to discriminate, making it even harder for African Americans to be treated fairly. Southern states also passed Jim Crow laws, which forced African Americans and white people to be separated in public spaces, like schools and buses- as long as it was equal, it was fair. These changes took away many of the rights African Americans had gained during Reconstruction and created a system of segregation that lasted for years.
BlackPast. "The Enforcement Act of 1870 (1870-1871)." BlackPast.org, 6 Feb. 2025, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-enforcement-act-of-1870-1870-1871/.
"Events: The Civil Rights Act of 1875." Jim Crow: From Slavery to Segregation, WNET, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_civil.html.
"Events: The Uncivil Rights." Jim Crow: From Slavery to Segregation, WNET, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_uncivil.html.
"Chinese Exclusion Act." National Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act.
"Events: Plessy v. Ferguson." Jim Crow: From Slavery to Segregation, WNET, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_plessy.html.
I used Grammarly for grammar and spell check and Citation Machine for citation help.