Definitions Reconstruction (U.S.)- Bringing the South back into the Union. Amendment- a change made to a law. Land Grants- Land giving by the government to reward certain people. Freedmen’s Bureau- Government agency that provided jobs and opportunities to former slaves. Black Codes (Jim Crow Laws)- Laws meant to prevent freed slaves from obtaining their American Rights.

Reconstruction Era The American Civil War ended in June 1865, but the Southern States’ problems were far from over. Despite some Northern opposition, Abraham Lincoln vowed to welcome the South back into the union, but he was assassinated in Reconstruction required three new amendments being added to the Constitution of the United States. Reconstruction affected Texas, Economically, Socially and Politically.

Economically Texas needed to grow, so many railroads were built across the state. To pay for the railroads, the state set aside land in the form of Land Grants. Texans also began to adapt to the idea of Cattle Ranching, where Cowboys, would round up cattle and take it north. Farming was also a steady income for Texans.

Politically President Andrew Johnson welcomed the South back into the union, but there were stipulations. Johnson stated that White Males had to pledge allegiance to the U.S. in order to vote. Johnson initiated the Reconstruction Amendments.

Reconstruction Amendments First, Johnson stated that every southern state had to write a new constitution and include the 13 th,14 th and 15 th Amendment. 13 th Amendment- outlawed slavery throughout the U.S. (1865) 14 th Amendment- states that all people born on American soil shall be citizens. (1868) 15 th Amendment- states that all men should be allowed to vote. (1870) Texas is readmitted into the union March 30, 1870.

Socially U.S. Attempts to exterminate the Buffalos to get rid of Native Americans. Using the Freedmen’s Bureau some former slaves banned together to form little towns. (Third and Fourth Wards in Houston) Black Codes, Literacy Test and Grandfather clauses were enacted to prevent blacks from obtaining rights. In 1868, located near Houston and Dallas, the Ku Klux Klan used intimidation tactics and even murder to make sure Blacks were not given any rights.

Ending Reconstruction Reconstruction will end in the U.S. in 1871, The U.S. Flag is the 6 th and last flag to fly over Texas.