Nicole Shank Reconstruction and Race Timeline

By FIELDHOCKEY

  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    Civil Rights Act of 1866
    This law protected African Americans rights. It gave them the chance to become U.S. citizens. President Johnson vetoed this bill and the black codes.

  • Black Codes

    Black Codes
    These were laws that controlled the African Americans that were once slaves. Some of the black codes made it impossible for the African Americans to rent or own farms because it was against the law. Also, some of the laws let officials fine or arrest the African Americans who did not have jobs. The black codes allowed the white employers to easily take advantage of the African American workers.

  • First Reconstruction Act

    First Reconstruction Act
    The first Reconstruction Act made the 10 states that had not approved the 14th Amendment to make new governments. This law seperated the 10 states into five military groups and each group had a general from the army to govern them until the new governments were made. The other Confederate leaders were not allowed to serve in the new governments and each state had to give a new constitution to Congress. The act also said Arican American men were allowed to vote in state elections.

  • Second Reconstruction Act

    Second Reconstruction Act
    The Second Reconstruction Act let the army register people to vote. They also helped plan state constitutional conventions. Most white Southerners didn't take part in these elections, but many African Americans did. The Republicans had control over the Southern stae governments.

  • The 14th Amendment

    The 14th Amendment
    This Amendment stated that people born in the U.S. are citizens of the U.S. It also said that no other law could take away anybody's citizenship. None of the states could take away somebody's life, liberty, or property without going to court. This law applied to everybody, even African Americans.

  • The 15th Amendment

    The 15th Amendment
    The 15th Amendment stated that any male citizen will not be denied the right to vote because of their color or race. This amendment was approved in 1870. The Republicans believed that they had done a good job in giving African American men the right to vote. Also, they thought that the African Americans would be able to protect themselves with this right.