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Black Codes
Black Codes were laws that made life difficult for Afican Americans. They were designed control newly freed slaves, and gave white employers ways to take advantage of the African American workers. African Americans could be arrested if they did not have a job, and could not own or rent farms. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
With this law, the federal government could get involved in state affairs to protect African Americans' rights. The Freedmans's Bureau could also set up courts were African Americans sat on the juries. African Americans were also given citizenship. -
Reconstruction Acts
The First Reconstruction Act made all the former confederate that refused to pass the 14th Amendment, make new governments.This act also gave African American men the right to vote in state elections. The Second Reconstruction Act allowed the army to set up constitutional conventions, which manywhite southerners would not be a part of. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment gave citizenship to anyone and everyone born in the United States. Now the African Americans could not get their citizenshipship taken away by another law. It also said that everyone could vote, and must have equal protection of laws.Former confederate leaders could not hold office unless congress had pardoned them. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment stated that no man could be denyed the right to vote because of race or color. Many people thought that Afican Americans could finally vote freely, and protect themselves. The republicans were not expecting things like literacy tests and the Grandfather Clause.
