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The Black Codes
The black codes were laws that southern states had started passing in the year 1866. They were ment to keep control over the now free African Americans. An example of a code would be, African Americans cannot rent or own farms. Another makes it simple for a white employer to take advantage of the African Americans. They even had ones that allowed oficials to arrest or fine unemployed African Americans. Although, to these women and men this was still a bit better than slavery. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights act was a law that the Radical Republicans had pushed for. It gave the federal government the power to get involved in state affairs. Also, it had granted citizenship for African Americans. They did this to battle-royal the Black codes. -
Reconstruction Acts
The first of these acts was passed due to the fact the fourteenth amendment had still not been ratified.It divided ten states into five different military districts.It had aslo made sure male African Americans have the right to vote in the state elections. The second act had gave the army the power to register voters in each of the five districts. It also let them offer assistence in state constitutional conventions. -
15th Amendment
The fifteenth Amendment made sure federal and state government could not abnegate the right for ANY male citizen because of "race,color, or previous condition of serviude." The states ratified it in 1870. After this the Republicans believed that they were finished. This was much too idealistic. -
14th Amendment
Congress passed the 14th amendment with the fear the courts may overturn the Civil Rights Act. It was a safegaurd that African Americans could keep there citizenship. The citizenship could not be taken away. It was delayed till 1868 due to the fact that many thought it was a severe measure.
