During The Civil War: What Is Freedom Anyway?

What is Freedom anyway? The definition of a freed individual, during the year 1863, differs entirely from how we would the define freedom for ourselves as an American citizen, in today’s society. A freed person in 1863 was no more than a former slave starting a new as a “welcomed” citizen. Consequently, the Reconstruction Era is known as the age of the African American and defining their liberties within America. The Reconstruction Era was catapulted by the Civil War, which was won on the back of “freedom for all.” In 1863, an ultimate turn occurred that would alter the outcome of the war and society as it had been previously known. The Emancipation Proclamation, was an executive order by Abraham Lincoln that granted freedom to slaves that resided within Union territory was issued. While this was an important piece of legislature the final destruction of slavery was the thirteenth amendment, which stated “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Therefore, African Americans were granted freedom and were promised a new life

However, much of their effort was met by opposition from President Andrew Johnson whose appointment was the result of Lincoln’s assassination. The President had been a major advocate for the North and what it represented during the war though his ultimate, goal was to empower the South’s white middle class and end the reign of wealthy planters. Consequently, because of his blatant bias Congress had overridden the President’s veto on both the Civil Rights Bill and the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which defined rights for all individuals born in the United States (extending to African Americans). Also, establishing the Freedmen’s Bureau which was an agency that provided aid to newly freed