The Reconstruction era, following the American Civil War, was a pivotal time in American history. With the aim of rebuilding the shattered South and ensuring the rights of newly freed slaves, the Republican-controlled Congress enacted policies that included granting voting rights to former slaves. This essay examines the reasons behind the inclusion of this requirement in Reconstruction policies and explores the significance of granting freed slaves the right to vote as a means of securing their freedom, promoting racial equality, and ensuring the success of the Reconstruction process. The inclusion of voting rights for freed slaves in the Reconstruction policies was driven by the principle of political equality. Recognizing that political …show more content…
By participating in the political system, former slaves could assert their rights and protect themselves from potential re-enslavement or oppressive measures by Southern whites who were resistant to change. The right to vote empowered African Americans to defend their interests, challenge discriminatory laws, and actively engage in the democratic process. Through their votes, freed slaves could elect representatives who would fight for their rights and advocate for the necessary reforms to dismantle systemic racism. The inclusion of voting rights for freed slaves was a significant step towards promoting racial equality and social justice. By granting African Americans the right to vote, the Reconstruction policies aimed to dismantle the remnants of slavery and challenge the deeply ingrained racial hierarchy of the South. This act signified a commitment to rectifying historical injustices and fostering a more egalitarian society. Through voting, freed slaves could have a direct impact on legislative decisions, leading to the implementation of laws and policies that addressed racial inequality and promoted the welfare of all
Although slavery was declared over after the passing of the thirteenth amendment, African Americans were not being treated with the respect or equality they deserved. Socially, politically and economically, African American people were not being given equal opportunities as white people. They had certain laws directed at them, which held them back from being equal to their white peers. They also had certain requirements, making it difficult for many African Americans to participate in the opportunity to vote for government leaders. Although they were freed from slavery, there was still a long way to go for equality through America’s reconstruction plan.
Finally, with the ratification the fifteenth amendment in 1870s, it secured the vote for the African Americans, and it forbid states from denying any citizens from the right to vote based on race, color, or “previous condition of servitude.” These three amendments were significant changes during the Reconstruction period because all people, not just white, can fully enjoy being an American citizen without worrying over their race or
When you look around at the world today, we have so many rights. People of all race and gender have the right to vote. However, this wasn’t always the case. In 1800s America, the fight over slavery was more prominent than it ever had been before. The civil war sparked the start of an evolution, an evolution led by none other than Ulysses S. Grant.
Based on the book Give Us the Ballot by Ari Berman, the book focuses on the voting rights for African Americans and the struggle they had to go through to obtaining the right to vote in the United States. Berman also describes the difficulties African Americans faced even after the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. The voting Rights Act wanted to eliminate many obstacles that occurred when it came to voting, which included literacy tests, poll taxes or any racial discrimination that prevented African Americans or other minorities from voting. The voting Rights Act operated and increased democracy participation in the south after the 1960’s.
Even after the laws giving all men the right to vote following the civil war, Southern prejudice still found a way to prevail with many clever laws designed to keep African Americans from using their new found rights. New laws were put in place to make grandfather clauses illegal and outlaw poll taxes, giving more African Americans the right to vote. Even after all of these laws were passed, the underlying values of the deep south would still not end. “In the 20’s most African Americans lived in poverty” (Best of History 1). Last but not least, Immigration laws were passed limiting the number of immigrants allowed to come in.
The establishing of voting rights for all Americans has been a painfully slow and grueling task. In the book, The Voting Rights Act: Securing the Ballot by Richard M. Valelly, the history of African American voting rights is described in great detail. First, Valelly walks through the building of African American voting rights in the 19th century and then covers the following years of black disenfranchisement. Then a turning point in American democracy occurs, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. The creation, extensions, shortcoming, and impact of this legislation are fleshed out next.
The Voting Rights Act not only gave African Americans the new freedom of voting, it also help them get more benifits beyond polotics. Similar to what happened when women gained the right to vote, now that African Americans could vote, polticians started tending to African Americans every need to get their vote and win the election. African Americans also stated being elected into office, who would also help African Americans in their fight to
But, when these officials were elected to Congress, they passed the “black codes” and thus the relations between the president and legislators became worst (Schriefer, Sivell and Arch R1). These so called “Black Codes” were “a series of laws to deprive blacks of their constitutional rights” that they were enacted mainly by Deep South legislatures. Black Codes differ from a state to another but they were stricter in the Deep South as they were sometimes irrationally austere. (Hazen 30) Furthermore, with the emergence of organizations such as the Red Shirts and the White League with the rise of the Conservative White Democrats’ power, efforts to prevent Black Americans from voting were escalating (Watts 247), even if the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S constitution that gave the Blacks the right to vote had been ratified in 1870.
African Americans were allowed to vote however they were intimidated fear their lives to both so it was useless. Newly freed slaves were aided through the usage of federal laws and constitutional amendments. Former slaves were enabled to vote, own property, legally marriage, receive and education and file lawsuits. This extended the power of the newly freedmen. Women were jealous because they still weren't allowed to vote or have a say in
To accomplish social equality and justice has been a long controversial issue in U.S. history. Voting Rights Act of 1965 should be understood as a tremendous accomplishment today because it not only represent a symbol of the triumph of fighting social injustice, but also open the first gate for African American and minority to strive for more political power in order to create a “great society.”
The thirteenth amendment stated that all former slaves were granted freedom. The reconstruction period, “did create the essential constitutional foundation for further advances in the quest for equality”. It laid the building blocks for the future building for civil rights not just for blacks but women and other minorities. Former slaves, “ found comfort in their family and in the churches they established”. Blacks took community in each other and bonded over the mutual idea of freedom .
Moreover, allowing them to be a part of the political forum, as they were given back their civil rights to voice their opinions once again as to what laws would take effect, and to whom would enforce those laws, instead of being an outcast as to those affecting them; and to why. Another affected success was given when these individuals were afforded the right to register their votes, regardless if they voted in the past elections or had any form of education; while making it an easy process than ever before. Among this success these African Americans were now given the abilities to feel accepted into such a changing world, by providing them with the same opportunities and privileges as any other U.S. citizen. Thus, taken place during a milestone era; when Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X, and Rose Park stated certain facts as to their beliefs and concerns regarding civil disobedience, segregation; and one’s civil rights to equal opportunities. These facts were focused on getting these African slaves (both adult and children) back into society as regular citizens, not as domestics to which they only knew; while eventually easing them into adaption.
People always want to demand their essential rights from government’s restriction by passing new laws. There was a period when people demanded their rights in the 1900s. Within the United States, most African Americans’ rights were denied by state governments. Hence, in the 1960s, they took a stand on requiring their rights through the Civil Rights movement around the country. During this movement, the Voting Rights Act was significant and for the reason is that this act gave African Americans a chance to participate in US politics by their votes.
And even though it wasn 't fair they put into place the grandfather clause and the literacy test in order to vote. A huge majority of the slaves did not know how to read or write so they were not able to pass the test and have their voice heard. So since the country was run people who believed that white supremacy should be taken into place unfair laws were put into place which harmed the African American race with having a
‘’Men and women working for civil rights had long recognized that gaining the right to vote was central to achieving full citizenship for African Americans. ’’ Racism was a vast conflict during the fact blacks wasn’t accept and still today have the same problems.