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Reconstruction
Reconstruction, in US history, is a period that followed the American Civil War. During this era, attempts were made to solve the problems arising from the readmission to the Union of the 11 Confederate states that seceeded during the Civil War. It was also a time in which attempts were made to redress the inequities of slavery and solve the political, social, and economic problems that arised. -
Freedmen's Bureau Established
Freedmen's Bureau The Freedmen's Bureau was established on March 3, 1865. It was established to assist former slaves and impoverished whites in the South. The Freedmen;s Bureau helped to provide people food, clothing, medical supplies, homes, jobs, and more. -
President Lincoln's Assassination
On April 15, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln's Vice President, Andrew Johnson, became President after Lincoln was assassinated. -
13th Amendment Ratified
13th Amendment The 13th amendment was the first act of Congress during the Reconstruction Era. It was adopted on December 6, 1865.The ratification of the 13th amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States. -
Ku Klux Klan Founded
KKK On July 30, 1866, the first branch of the KKK was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee. The KKK, with its long history of violence, is one of the most infamous and oldest American hate groups in history. The KKK was a secret organization that intimidated African Americans and wanted to restore white rule. -
Johnson's Impeachment Trial
From March 5, 1868 to May 16, 1868, Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial was going on. He was being impeached for going against Congress. President Johnson was not impeached by one vote, but decided to lay low afterwards. -
14th Amendment Ratified
14th Amendment The 14th Amendment was ratified on July 21, 1868. It granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States". It also forbade states from denying any person "life, liberty or property, without due process of law" and forbade states from "denying to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws". -
Ulysses S. Grant Elected President
On November 3, 1868, Ulysses S. Grant is elected President. The former Union general becomes the 18th president of the United States. Ulysses S. Grant is best known as the Union general who led the North to victory over the Confederate South during the American Civil War. As a President, however, he has been dismissed as weak and ineffective. -
15th Amendment Ratified
15th Amendment The 15th Amendment was ratified on March 30, 1870. It was the last of the Reconstruction Amendments. The 15th Amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on the citizen's "race, color, or previous conditio of servitude". -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
Civil Rights Act of 1875 The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1875. This law guaranteed African Americans equal treatment in public accomodations, public transportation, and prohibited exclusion from jury service. The U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in 1883. -
Rutherford B. Hayes Elected President
On March 4, 1877, Rutgerford B. Hayes is elected President. He won because he promised the South that he would recall the remaining troops in the South if he won the election. Thus, Reconstruction ended.
