The reconstruction Era lasting from the years 1865-1877 is considered one of the most transformative periods within United States history. This period followed the end of the Civil War. It brought forward changes with it’s ultimate goal of redefining freedom within the nation, as it had been previously divided as a result of slavery. These changes consisted of alterations to American government , law, and social structures. In my opinion three of the most important characteristics of the Reconstruction Era were the abolishment of slavery with the 13th Amendment, the establishment of civil rights for African Americans in both the 14th and 15th Amendments, and the rise of white supremasists resistance appearing in groups like the kkk. By diving into these three characteristics we can understand how these definitions of freedom compare to today's society and my own experience.Although I do not find any relations between this period of time and my own personal life, I can say that we are in a much faster pace society, and I am able to experience this evaluation for myself. Racism is still present in today’s society, African Americans and whites have had movements such as BLM, both fighting for equal rights after all these years.
The biggest issue within the United States was slavery. It caused tension between the Northern and Southern states, leading to the Civil War. With the passage of the 13th Amendment in the year 1865, the Amendment ended slavery within the United States ending oppression, for the millions of formerly enslaved Americans. Although the 13th Amendment abolished slavery it did not provide economic or social equality for them. The 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865.The passing of this amendment was an important event in United States history, as it had put an end to slavery.The 13th Amendment consisted of 2 sections. Section one stated: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment of crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” The 2nd section stated: “Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” The 13th Amendment was officially proposed to Congress in January of 1864, but was analyzed throughout that year. In June of 1864 it failed to pass the house of representatives, but President Lincoln pushed for it to be approved. It was passed on January 31, of 1865. In the following months in April 16, 1865 President Lincoln was assassinated a few months before the 13th Amendment’s ratification. Even though the 13th Amendment ended slavery, granted freedom to African Americans, Confederate States enacted black codes. These codes were laws that limited African American rights to own property, be free, work fairly and gain economic dependence.
With the ratification of the 14th Amendment it established principles of citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law. This meant that all citizens were granted full legal rights. The 15th Amendment ratified in 1870 stated that no one could be denied to vote based on their race. Many states in the South did not agree with these Amendments so they resorted to racial segregation and voter suppression.
Many freed African Americans found themselves in poverty as a result of sharecropping. Sharecropping was a system set where landowners, specifically white, allowed African Americans to work for them and the land in exchange for crops. Sharecropping left African Americans in debt leaving them with little to no ability to gain wealth or independence. Black Codes were restrictive laws instilled by southern states. They sought to control the freedoms of African American citizens. These codes reinforced white dominance despite the end of slavery. African Americans soon found that their “freedom” was more symbolic rather than substantive. Although African Americans were legally free they became subjected to racial violence, segregation and discrimination. A group that played a big role in this was the KKK. In the winter of 1865-66, in Pulaski Tennessee, 6 confederate veterans founded the KKK. Starting in the beginning it was originally a secretive fraternity club with no “malicious” intent, further developing into a terrorist organization.The KKK attracted people such as: mayors, judges, common criminals, law enforcement and former civil war generals. When the KKK turned to hate towards African Americans they: murdered black politicians, beat, whipped, murdered thousands, and intimidated tens of thousands for voting. Blacks were murdered for any reason.
Men,women,children, old and crippled were all victims of the KKK hate ridden focus. They burned churches and schools, lynching black teachers and educated blacks.Black landowners were driven off their property and if they didn't leave they were murdered.They whipped them for not working for whites, having intimate relationships with whites,for arguing with whites,for having a job a white man desired. Because of all the heinous acts the KKK accomplished and the hatred and violence they instigated in both Tennessee and Arkansas they developed a “Crack Police Force” that began to arrest klansmen and carried out executions.This force was founded by Edmund Davis, consisting of 40% black officers. Their main goal was to put an end to the klan.The ending of the Klan was due to the efforts of the enforcement acts of 1870 and 71. The Klan therefore ceased in the year 1872 until reviving again in the year 1915.
The biggest issue within the United States was slavery. It caused tension between the Northern and Southern states, leading to the Civil War. With the passage of the 13th Amendment in the year 1865, the Amendment ended slavery within the United States ending oppression, for the millions of formerly enslaved Americans. Although the 13th Amendment abolished slavery it did not provide economic or social equality for them. The 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865.The passing of this amendment was an important event in United States history, as it had put an end to slavery.The 13th Amendment consisted of 2 sections. Section one stated: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment of crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” The 2nd section stated: “Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” The 13th Amendment was officially proposed to Congress in January of 1864, but was analyzed throughout that year. In June of 1864 it failed to pass the house of representatives, but President Lincoln pushed for it to be approved. It was passed on January 31, of 1865. In the following months in April 16, 1865 President Lincoln was assassinated a few months before the 13th Amendment’s ratification. Even though the 13th Amendment ended slavery, granted freedom to African Americans, Confederate States enacted black codes. These codes were laws that limited African American rights to own property, be free, work fairly and gain economic dependence.
With the ratification of the 14th Amendment it established principles of citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law. This meant that all citizens were granted full legal rights. The 15th Amendment ratified in 1870 stated that no one could be denied to vote based on their race. Many states in the South did not agree with these Amendments so they resorted to racial segregation and voter suppression.
Many freed African Americans found themselves in poverty as a result of sharecropping. Sharecropping was a system set where landowners, specifically white, allowed African Americans to work for them and the land in exchange for crops. Sharecropping left African Americans in debt leaving them with little to no ability to gain wealth or independence. Black Codes were restrictive laws instilled by southern states. They sought to control the freedoms of African American citizens. These codes reinforced white dominance despite the end of slavery. African Americans soon found that their “freedom” was more symbolic rather than substantive. Although African Americans were legally free they became subjected to racial violence, segregation and discrimination. A group that played a big role in this was the KKK. In the winter of 1865-66, in Pulaski Tennessee, 6 confederate veterans founded the KKK. Starting in the beginning it was originally a secretive fraternity club with no “malicious” intent, further developing into a terrorist organization.The KKK attracted people such as: mayors, judges, common criminals, law enforcement and former civil war generals. When the KKK turned to hate towards African Americans they: murdered black politicians, beat, whipped, murdered thousands, and intimidated tens of thousands for voting. Blacks were murdered for any reason.
Men,women,children, old and crippled were all victims of the KKK hate ridden focus. They burned churches and schools, lynching black teachers and educated blacks.Black landowners were driven off their property and if they didn't leave they were murdered.They whipped them for not working for whites, having intimate relationships with whites,for arguing with whites,for having a job a white man desired. Because of all the heinous acts the KKK accomplished and the hatred and violence they instigated in both Tennessee and Arkansas they developed a “Crack Police Force” that began to arrest klansmen and carried out executions.This force was founded by Edmund Davis, consisting of 40% black officers. Their main goal was to put an end to the klan.The ending of the Klan was due to the efforts of the enforcement acts of 1870 and 71. The Klan therefore ceased in the year 1872 until reviving again in the year 1915.