The Reconstruction Era

Freedmen's Bureau

Mar 3, 1865

The Freedmen's Bureau made it possible for freedmen to get the education that they needed and basically live freely. 1,00 schools were open for former slaves due to the Freedmen's Bureau, and it allowed blacks and whites to marry each other. Former slaves who were now free were given the permission to own abandoned lands, and have business as well as Jobs.

Civil War Ends

Apr 9, 1865

The Civil war was a way for the blacks to prove that they too could rebel and, they too were human beings and deserved to be treated fairly. After it ended it left great damage to not only the southerners but also northerners.

Lincoln Assassination

Apr 14, 1865

President Abraham Lincoln is one of the President that has received credit for the freedom of many Slaves. Many people who believe that slavery existed for a reason did not agree with president Lincolns idea of taking away slavery. On April 14th a southerner named John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater.

13th Amendment Ratified

Dec 6, 1865

This Amendment that was passed January 31 1865 and ratified December 6th 1865 was a law passed by congress to abolish slavery in all of United States. Lincoln had belief that a constitutional amendment was needed in order to be sure that slavery was abolished.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Apr 9, 1866

This act that was passed by congress on April 9th, 1866 was written and passed to state that everyone whether white or black that was born in the United States were citizens of the United States. Although the bill/act was vetoed by the president that was in the house then President Andrew Johnson it still made it.

Memphis Race Riots

May 1, 1866

This riot that took place in Memphis Tennessee lasted for 3 days in the month of May in 1866. It was a series of racial violence that was ignited by political, social, and racial tension that was happening following the end of civil war and the early beginning of the Reconstruction Era.

New Orleans Race Riots

Jul 30, 1866

This massacre that took place in New Orleans was a conflict that was occurring between the Democrats and the Republicans.The riot happened because groups of Democrats felt the need to attack republicans, most of them being black who were parading about in the mechanics institute.

1st Reconstruction Act

Mar 2, 1867

This act is also known as the Military Reconstruction Act and it applied to all ex-confederate states located in the south.The act split the each of the sates into 5 military districts and each was under a northern general. This act also demanded need for sate delegates as well as constitution.

4th Reconstruction Act

Mar 11, 1867

The act led to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson who had conflicts with the congress. The act simply just declares that each proposed constitution of the state should be approved or endorsed by a simple process of taking majority votes in each state.

2nd Reconstruction Act

Mar 23, 1867

The 2nd Reconstruction Act was an answer to the confusion and questions being asked by southerns about the 1st Reconstruction Act. It was an act to established and clarify that military commanders help responsibility of registering votes and holding elections in their territories. This act also made voters recite the registration oath to promise support constitution and their obedience to the laws.

3rd Reconstruction Act

Jul 19, 1867

The 3rd Reconstruction Act gave supreme power to union generals who were overseeing reconstruction in the five districts over in the south.Despite the fact that this act was trying to help blacks trying to resettle after emancipation, the south felt like it was a way for the northerners to trump over their will on the former confederacy.

14th Amendment Ratified

Jul 28, 1868

The 14th Amendment was passed to grant citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans and slaves who were now free under the emancipation proclamation. It was ratified to ensure equal protection and fair rights to non whites according to the law.

15th Amendment Ratified

Feb 3, 1870

The 15th Amendment was a law that was passed by congress on February 26, 1896 but was not ratified till February 3, 1870. It was a law and bill passed that allowed blacks to have the right to vote.

1st Black Senator Elected

Feb 25, 1870

The first black senator that was elected was a man born to fee black parents. Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first man to be elected Senator by the Mississippi state Legislatures.

1st Black Governor Elected

Dec 9, 1872

Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback who was born Pinckney Benton Stewart was born to free black woman and a white planter. He was an American publisher, politician and a union army officer and also the first African American to become governor of the United States. He also won Louisiana state senate in 1868. He served in office December 6th, 1871 to December 9th, 1872.

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Mar 1, 1875

The civil rights act of 1875 was also called the Enforcement Act/Force Act. It was enacted during the reconstruction era, and was suppose to be a response to the civil rights violations against African Americans. This Act guaranteed blacks equal treat in public transportation'sand service in juries.

Grant Elected President

Nov 3, 1876

Ulysses S. Grant was an American soldier as well as politician. He was elected during the first election of the reconstruction era and won against democratic nominee Horatio Seymour.

Compromise of 1877

Feb 8, 1877

Compromise of 1877 was an unwritten deal which was arrange in the congress to settle the intensity of the 1876 presidential election. This compromise was the reason why troops were pulled out of the south during reconstruction.

Reconstruction Ends

Mar 31, 1877

The Reconstruction era was a short period of time that lasted for 14 years. It came to an end due to the compromise of 1877 which was an informal and unwritten deal. The Compromise of 1877 lead to the last troops being pulled out the south to formally end Reconstruction Era.