Integrating Freed Slaves As a part of his war effort Lincoln created the Freedman’s Bureau in order to help newly freed slaves integrate into life as a former slave. The Bureau helped solve everyday problems of the newly freed slaves, such as clothing, food, water, health care, communication with family members, and jobs. The biggest achievement of the Freedman’s Bureau dealt with education. No southern state had a system of universal, state- supported public education. Set up many schools that former slaves could attend and receive an education

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 Congress was frustrated by Johnson’s efforts at Reconstruction and moved to take away the powers from him. The Congress passes The Civil Rights Act of 1866 which defined persons born in the United States as citizens and said all people were equal before the law regardless of race. Andrew Johnson did not like the Act because he felt it was not the place of the Federal Government to do something like this, since there was not support in the Constitution for such an act. Johnson vetoes the bill Congress overrides the veto (first time this ever happened)

Civil War Amendments 13th Slavery abolished (1865) 14th Granted Freed Slaves citizenship (1868) 15th Granted Freed Slaves the right to vote (1870)

15th Amendment In response to the efforts of white southerners to restrict the vote, Congress drafts and passes the 15th Amendment. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Said nothing about Reading ability Gender Wealth We begin to see the rise of other ways of restricting voting. Poll taxes Literacy tests Grandfather clauses

Election of Ulysses Grant In 1868, Johnson is wildly unpopular and does not run for re-election Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant is elected as a Republican. Grant serves until 1877

African-American serve in office With the passage of the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution, African-Americans enjoyed unprecedented access to our democracy. We begin to see the first elected and appointed African-American politicians. Hiram Revels is the first African American to be elected to the Senate There have only been 9 total Pinkney B.S. Pinchback serves and the 24th Governor of Louisiana The next African-American Governor wouldn’t be elected until 1989

Collapse of Reconstruction Reconstruction became a costly venture for the North Rebuilding roads and towns was paid by northern states An economic collapse in 1873, made this issue even worse Rise of Southern White Violence White Southerners could not handle the idea of African Americans having equal rights As a result, white southerners formed a terror group called the Ku Klux Klan Founded by 6 confederate soldiers The white hoods were meant to evoke the image of dead confederate soldiers coming back to haunt former slaves and Republicans

Election of Rutherford B. Hayes The election of 1877 Democrat Samuel Tilden of New York Republican Rutherford B. Hayes In the election there were approximately 20 disputed electoral college ballots. Tilden won the popular vote. The Republicans and Democrats in Congress strike a deal Hayes will be awarded the remaining 20 votes, and the Presidency The Republicans (North) will agree to turn over control of the south to southern states. This ends reconstruction.

Hayes & “Home Rule” This ends reconstruction. Hayes and the Republicans turn over control of the south to southern states. SC, FL, LA “promise” to respect the rights of the feedmen. He removes federal troops and Southern states fall to the Redeemers. Progress slows and regresses. Power shifts back to ex Confederates and like minded people. African American politicians are voted out. This ends reconstruction.