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Freedmen's Bureau
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Wanted to provide relief to both black and white southerners. It was the 1st large scale organization that provided food, shelter, clothes, medical services, and jobs for black and white southern families. Through the American Missionary Association, the Freedmen's Bureau provided education for freed AA's in the south. -
Civil War Ends
The Civil War ended when Lee surrendered to Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse. This marked the beginning of the Reconstruction Era and the ratification of the 13th amendment. -
Lincoln Assassasinated
During the early stages of the Reconstruction Era, former resident Abraham Lincoln was shot at Fords Theater in DC, by a southerner named John Wilkes Booth. After his death, Vice President Andrew Johnson became president. -
13th Amendment Ratified
The 13th Amendment made slavery illegal in the U.S, making approximately 3.5 million people free. Although slavery was made illegal, the 13th amendment didn't give AA's citizenship or the right to vote. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
This act stated that anyone born in the U.S was a citizen, regardless of their race, color, or ethnicity, and allowed all citizens (regardless whether AA or not) were protected by the law. -
Memphis Race Riots
Racial violent massacre that occurred from May 1-3 in Memphis Tennessee. The violent events were triggered by racial and political events during the early stages of the Reconstruction Era. -
New Orleans Race Riots
White Policemen and firemen (democrats) attacked mostly black veterans that were protesting outside the Louisiana Constitutional Convention. This was after African American's were given the right to vote. -
1st Reconstruction Act
Acts that invalidated southern state governments and the southern states into five military districts under US control making the southern states ratify the 14th amercement and allow African American males to vote in state levels. -
2nd Reconstruction Act
Bill that was made to secure black voting rights. Established the union to be in charge of voter registration. -
4th Reconstruction Act
This act authorized that any election after March 1867 will be decided by the majority of the votes that were casted.It also stated that anyone person who is registered in a state should have the right to vote; for whoever they please. -
3rd Reconstruction Act
Covered all the bases for the radical republicans for the new elections in the south. Essentially it meant that if a democrat was elected the military commander of the district, they had the authority to remove him and replace him with anyone of his choosing, regardless of new elections. -
14th Amendment Ratified
The 14th amendment allowed citizenship to everyone born or naturalized in the United States. Essentially gave everyone (including former slaves) equal protection of the law. -
Grant Elected President
Grant lead the Union armies to victory during the Civil war. He was elected the 18th president. Worked towards implementing congressional reconstruction. . -
15th Amendment Ratified
The 15th amendment gave African American Men the right to vote. -
1st Black Senator Elected
Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first black senator in the U.S, in the state of Mississippi. Revels was well educated and served in the Civil war and fought for the Union before becoming senator. -
1st Black Governor
The first black governed was P.B.S Pinchback and he served as the 24th governor of Louisiana. Pinchback was a publisher, a politician, and a Union Army officer. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
Repealed Black Codes and guaranteed access in transportation and hotels to all blacks. It also prohibited racial discrimination in the jury and was eventually struck down. -
Compromise of 1877
Unwritten deal among US congressmen which resulted in federal troops being pulled from the south as long as Hayes becomes president; essentially ended the reconstruction era. -
End of Reconstruction
March 31 marked the end of the reconstruction era. This was the result of the northerners' losing faith in Republicans because of government corruption, the Democratic candidates taking
back the South, and the election of 1876
