African Americans During Reconstruction

In a more symbolic fashion, this sudden shift, and instillation of Black Codes caused the southern states to become figurative slave masters that suppressed Black people into economic subjugation, political, and social subjugation. This cultivated in complete societal dominance by White people in the south. As a response to this, the Freedman’s Bureau and Civil Rights Bills were passed in early 1866; both of were meant to protect the rights of Black individuals of the South. Amendment XIV established birth right citizenship, meaning that all Black people born within the United States, both free and enslaved at time of birth, were hens forth recognized as American citizens. This section of the amendment also states that all citizens of the US are also citizens of the states in which they reside. Prior to this states could decide whether or not to grant a person citizenship,

This drove a wedge between him and congress. This stage of Reconstruction is known as Presidential Reconstruction, at which time Johnson decided to pardon all white Southerners except those who were leaders for the Confederacy during the Civil War. This included the restoration of both political rights as well as, rights to all property; all rights except rights to freed slaves. Many do ask what American society and politics would have been had Lincoln not been assassinated. It is well known that both he and Johnson approached Reconstruction in similar ways, as both chose to adopt a moderate and lenient approach. However, what overshadowed this during Johnson’s administration was his racist attitude as well as, his belief in the rights of the states. These two aspects defined much of Johnson’s political motives and actions. History credits the Northern voters’ complete rejection of Johnson to his