Chapter 15: Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

A period following the Civil War (1865-1877), characterized by efforts to rebuild the South and restructure society, particularly regarding the status of formerly enslaved people.

A group of Republicans in Congress who advocated for a more radical approach to Reconstruction, pushing for more rights and protections for Black Americans.

Established in 1865, this federal agency helped formerly enslaved people by providing social, educational, and economic assistance.

A set of laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War, aiming to limit the rights of Black people and relegate them to second-class citizenship.

A person who held opposing views to President Andrew Johnson's policies on Reconstruction.

The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, was a key component of Reconstruction, but it was seen as insufficient by many who wanted further protections for Black Americans.

The Republican-controlled Congress increasingly clashed with President Johnson over Reconstruction policy, demonstrating a power struggle between the executive and legislative branches.

A prominent Republican Congressman who advocated for a complete restructuring of Southern society, aiming for greater equality for Black Americans.

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States and guaranteed equal protection under the law. It was a crucial step in securing basic rights for African Americans.

The 15th Amendment prohibited states from denying voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It aimed to empower African Americans and ensure their political participation.

A group of white southerners who supported the Republican Party's Reconstruction policies and worked to integrate African Americans into society.

Northerners who moved south during Reconstruction, often for economic and political opportunities. They played a role in implementing Reconstruction policies.

A system of labor where landowners provided land, tools, and housing to formerly enslaved people, while sharing the crop's profits. It often led to exploitation and debt for African Americans.

A period of intense racial segregation in the South following Reconstruction. It featured discriminatory laws and violence against African Americans.

A Supreme Court decision in 1896 that upheld racial segregation as legal, as long as facilities were ‘separate but equal.’ It fundamentally undermined the promise of equal protection for African Americans.

A form of extrajudicial killings, often targeted at African Americans in the South during Reconstruction and beyond. Lynchings were acts of racial terror meant to instill fear and maintain white supremacy.

The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist group that emerged during Reconstruction. They used violence and intimidation to maintain white dominance and prevent African Americans from exercising their rights.

President Andrew Johnson, after the Civil War, opposed the radical Reconstruction measures promoted by Congress. He believed in limited federal power and disagreed with extending equal rights to freedmen.

General Ulysses S. Grant, a prominent Union general during the Civil War, championed equal rights for freedmen and supported Reconstruction policies. His presidency saw significant progress in securing civil rights for African Americans.

Thaddeus Stevens, a prominent Congressman and leader of the Radical Republicans, was a fervent advocate for civil rights and Reconstruction policies. He pushed for the protection of African Americans' rights and held a strong stance against white supremacy.

The period of Reconstruction following the Civil War saw a significant increase in black political participation. Many African Americans held elected office, serving in Congress and state legislatures, demonstrating their commitment to shaping American politics.

Black communities embraced education as a path towards progress and opportunity during Reconstruction. They established schools and colleges, striving to empower themselves through knowledge and skills.

During Reconstruction, African Americans faced challenges in acquiring land, often remaining tied to the land they had worked on as slaves through systems like sharecropping. This limited their economic opportunities and independence.