Made slavery and involuntary servitude punishable by law;
Enslaved African Americans are freed;
> Led to the creation of the Freedmen's Bureau.
14th amendment
People born or naturalized in the United States are provided citizenship and equal protection under the laws;
African Americans and freedmen can own land and businesses;
> Formerly enslaved people cannot be penalized for their debts.
15th Amendment
Voting rights shall not be denied on account of race, color, or previous conditions of servitude;
African Americans and freedmen can vote without discrimination or interference;
> Women suffrage groups were still not allowed to vote, resulting in further uproar.
Enforcement Act of 1870
Prohibited discrimination in voter registration on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude + federal marshals can bring charges against offenders for election fraud, bribery or intimidation of voters, and preventing citizens from exercising their rights;
African Americans were able to vote safely while protected from interference or intimidation;
> Weakened the power of the KKK and contributed to the eradication of the first Klan.
Enforcement Act of 1871
Permitted federal oversight of local and state elections if any two citizens in a town with more than twenty-thousand inhabitants desired it;
More severe punishments + larger fines for disregarding the regulations + prison sentences vary in length;
African Americans are further protected in voting rights;
> Weakened the KKK + made people suffer harsher punishments.
Ku Klux Klan Act
Entirely outlawed the KKK;
African Americans are further protected from the violence and intimidation of the KKK;
Made the KKK's intimidation tactics into federal offenses + authorized the militia to suppress conspiracies against the operation of the federal government + prohibited those suspected of complicity in such conspiracies to serve on juries related to the Klan's activities;
> Resulted in fairer juries and further protection for African Americans.
Civil Rights Act of 1875
Guarantees all citizens, regardless of color, access to accommodations, theaters, public schools, churches, and cemeteries;
African Americans had equal treatment in public transportation, public accommodations and service on juries;
> Failed to have a lasting effect: the legislation was oftentimes ignored by Southern states and the federal government did not have strong enforcement mechanisms.
