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Lee & the Northern Virginia Army Surrender to Grant at the Appomatox Court House
General Robert E. Lee of the Northern Virginia confederate army surrenders to General U.S. Grant of the Union army at the Appomattox courthouse. The terms of surrender were reached in the parlor of Will McLean. The confederate army was unable to continue this war of attrition, as it was facing mass casualties, human and food shortages. This is often viewed as the unofficial end of the civil war, as Lee's army was the largest, and most accomplished fighting force the south had to offer. -
President Abraham Lincoln is Assassinated
Following the surrender of General Lee, and seeing the war is closing, president Abe Lincoln would attend the Ford Theater to celebrate. There, he would be shot in the head and assassinated by theater nerd John W. Booth in an attempt to restart the war. Lincoln had never publicly discussed his reconstruction plan, his death left the nation looking for strong leadership and a path forward. Lincoln's successor administration would be a mess, and would render reconstruction a failed expedition. -
The Capture of Jefferson Davis
The capture of Confederate President, and former Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis is important for two reasons: it was a crushing blow to any southerners who hoped to remain in rebellion, and he wasn't killed for treason it demonstrated the good will of the North. After fleeing Richmond, it was possible he would try to create another confederate stronghold. The question of leniency or punishment for CSA leaders was seemingly answered, when the president of the CSA was not immediately hung. -
Mississippi Becomes The First State To Establish Black Codes
Black codes are a series of laws that only apply to black citizens of a state, and are meant to disproportionately target and disrupt black life. Mississippi is the first state to adopt these codes before the war even ends, and would become a model for the former confederate states to follow. These laws include forcing black people over the age of 18 to be employed, restricting their rights to assembly, speech,and to bare arms. There were penalties for whites befriending blacks.(Guelzo 131) -
President Johnson Formally Ends Military Hostilities
President Johnson ends the war. The move to declare a formal end of hostilities was a political one, as it weakened his Republican opponents who had grown accustomed to their wartime powers. This move significantly weakened the freedmen bureau by taking away their power to enforce decisions, gutting this institution that was monumental for helping freedmen integrate. The move is rather meaningless to the fighting aspect of the war which had seen its last battle almost a year prior. (Guelzo 34) -
Texas V White Decision
This court case originated when Texas' reconstruction government claimed that U.S. bonds owned by Texas were illegally sold during the war. The supreme court ruled that states do not have the right to secession, and therefor Texas never left the union. Having left the union, the ordinance of secession, and all acts under its authority were null and void. This is a step towards reconciliation, rather than being held accountable for crimes, CSA leaders actions are basically cancelled.(Guelzo 132) -
General Grant is Elected President
The 1868 election saw a Republican victory, at the top of the card was Union general U.S. Grant who'd become the 18th president of the United States. It is not a surprise Grant won this election, as he was the lead Union general, and was beloved by Northerners as he is seen as the general who defeated Lee and won the war. He would preside over a failing reconstruction period, plagued with fierce corruption and throat cancer. During his term the south sees a lot of violence against black people. -
Hiram Revels Becomes the First Black Senator in the United States
In 1870 Hiram Revels would become the first black person elected to a federal legislature, and is apart of the original 16 black members of the reconstruction congress. He is not just remembered for the racial barrier he would break, but who's seat he'd fill. In 1861 Mississippi senator and future CSA president Jeff Davis would resign following the secession of Mississippi, his seat would be filled by Hiram. This would make him a pioneer for blacks.
(National Constitution Center, 130 Guelzo) -
Grants Signs the Third Reinforcement Act
Following the end of the civil war, the newly formed Ku Klux Klan operated very similarly to a terror cell, stoking the flames of a dying conflict. They were responsible for so much violence, President Grant would pass 2 previous reinforcement acts, and issue multiple cease and desist proclamations. The third reinforcement act was necessary, it allowed the government to weed out, and unseat civil officials who were formerly in the confederacy/in the KKK who would slow reconstruction. (Guelzo 40) -
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Turmoil of the 1876 Election and the End of Reconstruction
The 1876 election was riddled with corruption, scandal, and fraud, resulting in Rutherford B Hayes being named president, in exchange for an end to reconstruction by removing the remaining federal occupying force from the south. When election day failed to produce a clear winner, it encouraged claims of fraud, and disputing results. A congressional commission was formed at the end of January to produce a winner. In March RBH is named president and by the end of April forces are removed.Guelzo135