1865-1876

By JJohnson2023

  • Assassination of President Lincoln

    President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's theater in Washington D.C. As a result of Lincoln's death Vice President Andrew Johnson immediately was sworn in as president.

  • Ratification of the 13th amendment

    The 13th amendment to the U.S. constitution. This made it official that slavery was abolished in every state in the U.S.

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1866

    The Civil Rights act of 1866 was the first U.S. law defining citizenship and establishing what rights U.S. citizens have.

  • 1868 Presidential Election

    The 1868 Presidential Election was between Republican Ulysses S. Grant and Democrat Horatio Seymour. Grant was very popular after the civil war because of his abilities to win battles. Grand ended up winning the election and was inaugurated in March of 1869

  • The passing of the First Enforcement Act

    The First Enforcement Act was passed to protect voting rights for blacks in the south. Reconstruction was taking some time in the south and there were many groups like the KKK that would intimidate or threaten African Americans if they tried to exercise their right to vote.

  • The creation of the U.S. Department of Justice

    The U.S. Department of Justice was created in large part to handle litigation after the civil war. The DOJ also helped professionalize the federal government making the legal practices separate from the politicians.

  • Suspension of Habeas Corpus

    President Grant suspends Habeas Corpus in 9 South Carolina counties. Grant did this because the KKK were committing acts of violence that were beyond what any legal punishment can detour.

  • Presidential Election of 1872

    President Ulysses S. Grant won reelection defeating Horace T. Greeley. The main issue during this election was reconstruction. Many felt that Grant was doing a good job handling the issue and felt that there was more that needed to be done.

  • Civil Rights Act of 1875

    The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was signed into law by President Grant. This granted African Americans fair treatment in public accommodations, transportation and jury service.

  • Presidential Election of 1876

    The presidential election of 1876 was a matchup between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. To this point this was one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history. The country was divided on the issue of reconstruction in the south. Hayes won by just one electoral vote and was sworn in as President of the United States on March 4, 1877.