1. RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION APUSH – Spiconardi

2. The Fourteenth Amendment  Prohibits states from abridging “privileges” and “immunities” of citizens  Guarantees “equal protection under the law”  Gave congress the power to reduce congressional representation to any state that denied any group of men to vote

3. The Fifteenth Amendment  Federal and state governments could not deny any citizen the right to vote on the basis of race  Prior to this amendment, only eight northern states allowed black males to vote  American Anti-Slavery Society disbands after amendments ratification Who is going to take umbrage with the way in which the amendment is written?

4. Changing Views on Government  Most Americans had believed from the adoption of the Bill of Rights that the federal government posed a threat to civil liberties  After the Reconstruction Amendments, the federal government provided and protected civil liberties  The Constitution went beyond protecting property rights [The federal government has become] the custodian of freedom

6. Impeachment  Johnson vetoed Congress’ Reconstruction Act, but is overridden by Congress  To limit Johnson’s influence over Reconstruction, Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act  Tenure of Office Act  Tenure of Office Act  The president cannot remove certain office holders (e.g. cabinet members) without the approval of Congress  Johnson defies the act and removes his Secretary of War  Johnson is impeached, but not convicted

7. Election of 1868

8. Black Freedom  Blacks took part in political meetings and grassroots gatherings  Blacks ran for political office

9. Black Freedom  Black Officeholders  Roughly 2,000 blacks held public office during Reconstruction  Fourteen congressional representatives  Two black senators (both from Mississippi) Only four others have been elected since 1875  Blacks served on juries

10. Black Freedom  Public Schools  Most schools segregated (Only in New Orleans were schools integrated during Reconstruction)  The South’s old leaders would soon not stand for black freedom