Questions and Answers
When did the Civil War end?
April 9, 1865
How many Americans were killed in the Civil War?
620,000
What did the 13th Amendment accomplish?
It freed slaves and made slavery illegal.
What did the 14th Amendment grant?
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What did the 15th Amendment do?
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Why was Reconstruction considered a failure?
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What was Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan?
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What was President Andrew Jackson's Plan for Reconstruction?
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Who were the Radical Republicans?
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What was the Radical Republican's Plan?
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What were Black Codes?
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What rights were denied to African Americans under Black Codes?
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What was the main issue facing Congress after the Civil War?
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What years did Reconstruction take place?
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What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau?
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What did the Civil Rights Bill of 1865 attack?
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What was a social implication of the Civil War and Reconstruction?
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What was the Religious Boom after the Civil War?
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What were the first institutions that African Americans owned and operated after the war?
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What was the status of African Americans in politics after the Civil War?
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What is sharecropping often referred to as?
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How long did the Union army occupy the South?
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What does The Lost Cause refer to?
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What was the goal of the Ku Klux Klan?
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What marks the end of Reconstruction?
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What was the Wade-Davis Bill?
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Study Notes
Civil War and Reconstruction Overview
- Civil War ended on April 9, 1865, with Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
- Approximately 620,000 Americans were killed during the Civil War.
Constitutional Amendments
- 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery and made it illegal.
- 14th Amendment (1866): Granted U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country.
- 15th Amendment (1869): Ensured all citizens could vote, regardless of race.
Reasons for Reconstruction's Failure
- The Southern economy remained impoverished post-war.
- African Americans' rights were not protected, leading to systemic denial of rights through Jim Crow Laws for the next century.
Reconstruction Plans
- Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan: Required 10% of voters in Confederate states to take a loyalty oath for state governance; mandated abolition of slavery and provisions for African American education.
- Andrew Johnson's Plan: Involved returning property to Southern owners, appointing governors, maintaining military presence, granting amnesty to most Confederates, and denying citizenship to African Americans.
Radical Republicans
- A faction in Congress that opposed slavery and fought for African American citizenship.
- Radical Republicans' Plan: Stripped power from Southern elites, favored Congressional intervention, and required military governance until 50% of voters pledged loyalty.
Black Codes and Their Impact
- Black Codes were laws aimed at maintaining a subservient labor class among African Americans, reflecting earlier Slave Codes.
- Under these codes, African Americans faced severe restrictions: no citizenship or voting rights, unfair contracts, no jury trials, and corporal punishment was legal.
Key Issues and Events
- The central issue facing Congress during Reconstruction was the fight for civil rights.
- Reconstruction lasted from 1865 to 1877.
- Freedmen's Bureau (1868) provided essential services such as food, clothing, land, and legal assistance.
Civil Rights Legislation
- Civil Rights Bill (1865) aimed to combat Black Codes; affirmed African Americans as citizens with property rights and court capabilities.
Social Changes Post-Civil War
- Most African Americans remained in the South, with ongoing societal perceptions of their readiness for freedom.
- By 1890, there was a religious boom with 1.3 million black Baptists established.
African American Political Engagement
- Many African Americans were elected to office during Reconstruction; significant representation in states like South Carolina (black majority) and Louisiana (50% representation).
Economic Conditions
- Sharecropping emerged as a system resembling slavery, keeping African Americans economically dependent and oppressed.
- Union Army occupied the South for 12 years (1865-1877) to protect African American rights.
Societal Attitudes and Groups
- "The Lost Cause" narrative emerged as a romanticized view of the war among veterans.
- The Ku Klux Klan was formed in 1866 to undermine African American political involvement and restore white supremacy through violence and intimidation.
Conclusion of Reconstruction
- By 1877, the withdrawal of Union troops saw the return of oppressive conditions similar to the antebellum era, with African American rights unprotected.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key events and amendments during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. This quiz features important dates, statistics, and legal changes that shaped American history. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike!