Between 1860 and 1877 the Civil War began, presenting the people and politicians of the United States with a great number of constitutional challenges, which had been mounting for decades. Despite the efforts made, many changes in social conditions remained unjust and were disregarded. The constitutional changes that occurred contributed to a revolution but did not directly connect to any revolutionary social developments. The constitutional changes that occurred were far more revolutionary than social developments, through their changes in states’ rights, African Americans rights, and the federal government's influence in the social sphere. The greatest Constitutional conflicts during this time revolved around states’ rights and the power of the federal government. States often attempted to nullify …show more content…
Although the Amendments provided some rights for African Americans, southern white men still had the majority, if not all, the power. After the Civil War, southern states had to have a minority pledge their allegiance to the United States. Everyone but the highest ranking confederate officials were pardoned and their lands were returned to them. On Edisto Island, black free men were promised lands by the federal government but this was prevented because they were under former white slaveholders’ mercy. Although black people remained faithful to the government, they were stripped of their rights and remained the inferior race. Document E raises the question as to why African Americans did not have rights. It remained an obvious question and had not been answered for years due the unjust laws against blacks. Similarly, document H supports the argument of the lack of respect toward African Americans. The 14th amendment gave blacks freedom, citizenship, and voting rights in America which reverted their position in society and questioned the authority of the