Hi everyone,
I am Ludmila Rotari, and I am excited to be part of this online class! I'm originally from Moldova, moved to the US ten years ago, and have been a licensed practical nurse for five years. I'm happy to return to college for my associate in health and to collaborate with all of you. I believe our collective efforts will lead to a successful learning experience.
MODULE TWO
* Please identify three of the most important characteristics of the Reconstruction Era; How do these characteristics connect to definitions of freedom at that time?How do these definitions of freedom compare to your own?
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, legislated during Reconstruction, are among American history's most significant and lasting constitutional changes. The 13th Amendment ended slavery, the 14th appointed birthright citizenship and equal security under the law, and the 15th granted voting rights to all male citizens, regardless of race. Together, they transformed the lawful framework of the nation, marking a considerable transformation towards equality and civil rights. Their implementation implicated the Federal Military occupation of former Confederate states and the establishment of schools and other institutions that aimed to educate and authorize formerly enslaved individuals, thereby cultivating a sense of assignment and equality.
Three distinct phases characterized the Reconstruction Era.
Presidential Reconstruction (1863–1866). This phase was led by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson and aimed to quickly restore harmony, reunite the country, and preserve the Union. It was initiated by the Emancipation Proclamation, a powerful executive order given by President Lincoln in 1863 that declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free. After Lincoln's assassination, Johnson, a former Southern Democrat, took on the responsibility of reconstructing the South. His resistance to more stringent Reconstruction measures ultimately led to his impeachment on a technicality, although he was later cleared.
Congressional Reconstruction (after 1866) was Also known as the "Radical Reconstruction Phase" or "Negro Reconstruction." This phase was characterized by the impact of radical groups in Washington and the significant political involvement of black voters in the South.
In the final phase of Redemption (1873–1877), white Southerners, including both conservatives and Democrats, regained control of all Southern states, achieved a victory over the Republicans. In 1877, Republican President Rutherford, H. withdrew federal troops from the South, which eventually resulted in the overthrow of the last three Republican state governments, marking the end of Reconstruction Era.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, freed people aspired to be recognized as full and equal citizens. Their dreams of freedom was multifaceted, enclosing the rights to possess property, move freely, and have liberty and self-determination.
How did these characteristics connect to definitions of freedom at that time? During the Reconstruction Era, the pursuit of freedom by formerly enslaved people was a testament to their resilience and agony. For them, liberty mostly indicated achieving legal recognition as citizens, which included the right to vote, own property, access education, and live without the threat of capture. These rights, crucial in pursuing independence, were assured through the amendments established during that period. This active intent of freedom, involved multiple legal and political changes in the Reconstruction Era.
The root concept of freedom to leave without dictatorial restrictions remains uniform compared to contemporary life. The ongoing struggle for freedom is a pressing and urgent issue in modern society. Today, these battles often cage more vast social and economic challenges, such as forced marriage, forced labor (including child labor), human trafficking, and socioeconomic disparities, which were not fully addressed during the Reconstruction Era.
* Next: the Redemption Era covers that latter part of the 19th Century. This is the era the Ku Klux Klan and other homegrown terrorist organizations emerge. These groups emerge in response to the creation of the first federal protection of civil rights. Use the resources assigned this week to explain how Congress' achievements during the Reconstruction Era in establishing equal protection for citizens was met by activists, the Redeemers, and the Supreme Court.
The period following the Civil War (1865–1877) was the era of Reconstruction in the history of the United States, a climactic time that saw the abolition of slavery, the destruction of all traces of the Confederacy, and the economic and social Reconstruction of the South. More significantly, it was a time of reshaping the Constitution. This plan was approached by secessionist states in the South, retrieving self-government and seats in Congress, the civil status of Confederate leaders, and the legal and constitutional status of formerly enslaved people. This reshaping of the Constitution during Reconstruction continues to influence the ongoing struggles for freedom. After the Civil War, violent controversies erupted throughout the South over the treatment of such issues, with former Confederate soldiers organizing into paramilitary groups to continue to resist, creating parties such as the Ku Klux Klan, which wanted to deprive the courage and suppress newly freed African Americans and their allies through violence and terror.
During Reconstruction, Congress' attempts to establish equivalent protection for citizens through legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the 14th Amendment were completed with strong opposition from Southern "Redeemers" who actively operated to sabotage these efforts. Despite that, the Supreme Court, via fundamental legislation (like Civil Rights Cases) vastly diminished the strength of the federal government's ability to enforce these protections, ultimately leaving activists and African Americans with limited legal recourse against discrimination.
African American promoters and civil rights supporters assisted Congress's measure planned to secure equivalent protection and reacted to Congress' Reconstruction efforts. However, they were discouraged by the lack of implementation and the Supreme Court's mandates, which limited the reach of these protections.
"Redeemers" or Southern white Democrats actively resisted Reconstruction policies, using violence and oppression to suppress Black political participation and treated unfavourably discriminatory laws that effectively neutralized the progress made during Reconstruction.
The Supreme Court, via determinations like the Civil Rights Cases (1883), particularly limited the authority of the federal government to implement civil rights protections against individual discrimination, actually allowing states to implement Jim Crow laws.
Further details: The 14th Amendment was considered the cornerstone of Reconstruction. It granted citizenship to all people born in the United States and guaranteed equal protection under the law, but the Supreme Court's interpretation later severely limited its effectiveness.
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 aspired to defend African Americans from discrimination in public accommodations, but the Supreme Court later declared it unconstitutional in the Civil Rights Cases.
References:
Although African Americans initially gained political power during Reconstruction, the actions of the Redeemers and the Supreme Court rulings significantly reduced their ability to participate in the political processes.
Wright, Kianna. “THE ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1870 (1870-1871).” BlackPast, 2019, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-enforcement-act-of-1870-1870-1871/.
Wormser, Richard. “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow.” Thirteen PBS, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_kkk.html.
Foner, Eric. “Why Reconstruction Matters.” The New York Times, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/opinion/sunday/why-reconstruction- matters.html.
I am Ludmila Rotari, and I am excited to be part of this online class! I'm originally from Moldova, moved to the US ten years ago, and have been a licensed practical nurse for five years. I'm happy to return to college for my associate in health and to collaborate with all of you. I believe our collective efforts will lead to a successful learning experience.
MODULE TWO
* Please identify three of the most important characteristics of the Reconstruction Era; How do these characteristics connect to definitions of freedom at that time?How do these definitions of freedom compare to your own?
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, legislated during Reconstruction, are among American history's most significant and lasting constitutional changes. The 13th Amendment ended slavery, the 14th appointed birthright citizenship and equal security under the law, and the 15th granted voting rights to all male citizens, regardless of race. Together, they transformed the lawful framework of the nation, marking a considerable transformation towards equality and civil rights. Their implementation implicated the Federal Military occupation of former Confederate states and the establishment of schools and other institutions that aimed to educate and authorize formerly enslaved individuals, thereby cultivating a sense of assignment and equality.
Three distinct phases characterized the Reconstruction Era.
Presidential Reconstruction (1863–1866). This phase was led by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson and aimed to quickly restore harmony, reunite the country, and preserve the Union. It was initiated by the Emancipation Proclamation, a powerful executive order given by President Lincoln in 1863 that declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free. After Lincoln's assassination, Johnson, a former Southern Democrat, took on the responsibility of reconstructing the South. His resistance to more stringent Reconstruction measures ultimately led to his impeachment on a technicality, although he was later cleared.
Congressional Reconstruction (after 1866) was Also known as the "Radical Reconstruction Phase" or "Negro Reconstruction." This phase was characterized by the impact of radical groups in Washington and the significant political involvement of black voters in the South.
In the final phase of Redemption (1873–1877), white Southerners, including both conservatives and Democrats, regained control of all Southern states, achieved a victory over the Republicans. In 1877, Republican President Rutherford, H. withdrew federal troops from the South, which eventually resulted in the overthrow of the last three Republican state governments, marking the end of Reconstruction Era.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, freed people aspired to be recognized as full and equal citizens. Their dreams of freedom was multifaceted, enclosing the rights to possess property, move freely, and have liberty and self-determination.
How did these characteristics connect to definitions of freedom at that time? During the Reconstruction Era, the pursuit of freedom by formerly enslaved people was a testament to their resilience and agony. For them, liberty mostly indicated achieving legal recognition as citizens, which included the right to vote, own property, access education, and live without the threat of capture. These rights, crucial in pursuing independence, were assured through the amendments established during that period. This active intent of freedom, involved multiple legal and political changes in the Reconstruction Era.
The root concept of freedom to leave without dictatorial restrictions remains uniform compared to contemporary life. The ongoing struggle for freedom is a pressing and urgent issue in modern society. Today, these battles often cage more vast social and economic challenges, such as forced marriage, forced labor (including child labor), human trafficking, and socioeconomic disparities, which were not fully addressed during the Reconstruction Era.
* Next: the Redemption Era covers that latter part of the 19th Century. This is the era the Ku Klux Klan and other homegrown terrorist organizations emerge. These groups emerge in response to the creation of the first federal protection of civil rights. Use the resources assigned this week to explain how Congress' achievements during the Reconstruction Era in establishing equal protection for citizens was met by activists, the Redeemers, and the Supreme Court.
The period following the Civil War (1865–1877) was the era of Reconstruction in the history of the United States, a climactic time that saw the abolition of slavery, the destruction of all traces of the Confederacy, and the economic and social Reconstruction of the South. More significantly, it was a time of reshaping the Constitution. This plan was approached by secessionist states in the South, retrieving self-government and seats in Congress, the civil status of Confederate leaders, and the legal and constitutional status of formerly enslaved people. This reshaping of the Constitution during Reconstruction continues to influence the ongoing struggles for freedom. After the Civil War, violent controversies erupted throughout the South over the treatment of such issues, with former Confederate soldiers organizing into paramilitary groups to continue to resist, creating parties such as the Ku Klux Klan, which wanted to deprive the courage and suppress newly freed African Americans and their allies through violence and terror.
During Reconstruction, Congress' attempts to establish equivalent protection for citizens through legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the 14th Amendment were completed with strong opposition from Southern "Redeemers" who actively operated to sabotage these efforts. Despite that, the Supreme Court, via fundamental legislation (like Civil Rights Cases) vastly diminished the strength of the federal government's ability to enforce these protections, ultimately leaving activists and African Americans with limited legal recourse against discrimination.
African American promoters and civil rights supporters assisted Congress's measure planned to secure equivalent protection and reacted to Congress' Reconstruction efforts. However, they were discouraged by the lack of implementation and the Supreme Court's mandates, which limited the reach of these protections.
"Redeemers" or Southern white Democrats actively resisted Reconstruction policies, using violence and oppression to suppress Black political participation and treated unfavourably discriminatory laws that effectively neutralized the progress made during Reconstruction.
The Supreme Court, via determinations like the Civil Rights Cases (1883), particularly limited the authority of the federal government to implement civil rights protections against individual discrimination, actually allowing states to implement Jim Crow laws.
Further details: The 14th Amendment was considered the cornerstone of Reconstruction. It granted citizenship to all people born in the United States and guaranteed equal protection under the law, but the Supreme Court's interpretation later severely limited its effectiveness.
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 aspired to defend African Americans from discrimination in public accommodations, but the Supreme Court later declared it unconstitutional in the Civil Rights Cases.
References:
Although African Americans initially gained political power during Reconstruction, the actions of the Redeemers and the Supreme Court rulings significantly reduced their ability to participate in the political processes.
Wright, Kianna. “THE ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1870 (1870-1871).” BlackPast, 2019, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-enforcement-act-of-1870-1870-1871/.
Wormser, Richard. “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow.” Thirteen PBS, www.thirteen.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_kkk.html.
Foner, Eric. “Why Reconstruction Matters.” The New York Times, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/opinion/sunday/why-reconstruction- matters.html.