Reconstruction Timeline

  • Emancipation Proclamation

    In 1863 Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This document freed all the slaves and changed the federal legal status of 3.5 million enslaved people.
  • Lincoln announces the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

    This is also known as the Ten Percent Plan. It offers pardon and restoration of property. This was a united states presidential proclamation.
  • Congress passes the Wade - Davis Bill

    Ups the allegiance requirement from 10% to a majority of state voters. It was a proposed bill for the reconstruction of the South.
  • Freedmen's Bureau is established

    Provided assistance to emancipated African Americans. Was established by Congress to help former slaves and poor whites in the South after the Civil War.
  • End of the Civil War

    On April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Was Fought between the North and the South from 1861 - 1865.
  • Lincoln assassinated

    Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was killed by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theater. After Lincoln was assassinated his Vice President Andrew Johnson took over.
  • The End of slavery

    Due to the Unions measures such as the Confiscation Act and the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the war effectively ended slavery. Some slaves, especially elderly ones, were apprehensive about freedom.
  • Thirteenth Amendment ratified

    Ratifying the thirteenth amendment ended slavery in the United States. Passed by Congress on January 31, and ratified on December 6, 1865.
  • Black Codes Enacted

    Black Codes were enacted by Southern states in 1865 - 1866 after the Civil War. With enacting Black Codes, it restricted their freedom and made them work in a labor economy based low wages or debt.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    The Civil Rights Act was the United States first federal law to define Citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law.
  • Memphis Race Riot

    White civilians and police killed 46 African Americans and destroyed 90 houses, schools, and four churches in Memphis
  • Tennessee readmitted to the Union

    Tennessee is the first former Confederate state to join the rejoin the Union.
  • Ku Klux Klan

    An organization to intimidate African Americans and restore white rule
  • Reconstruction Acts

    This laid out the process for readmitting Southern states into the Union. Provided slaves with national citizenship, and granted African American men the right to vote.
  • Andrew Johnson Impeached

    Andrew Johnson was the first president to get Impeached. He was impeached due to his High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
  • Fourteenth Amendment Ratified

    Guarantees due process and equal protection under the law to African Americans
  • Ulysses S. Grant Elected

    Ulysses S. Grant is elected as President. He becomes the 18th president of the United States.
  • Virginia is readmitted to the union

    Virginia rejoins the Union
  • Hiram Revels elected to U.S. Senate

    Hiram Revels is elected to the U.S. Senate as the first black senator.
  • Fifteenth Amendment Ratified

    Extends the vote to all male citizens regardless of race or previous condition of servitude
  • Freedmen's Bureau is Abolished

    Freedman's Bureau was abolished in 1872. It was established by Congress and helped former slaves and poor whites after the Civil War.
  • Civil Right's Act of 1875 is enacted by Congress

    Guarantees equal rights to African Americans in public accommodations and jury service. This was to give African Americans equal treatment.
  • The Compromise of 1877

    A supposed deal that settled the 1876 presidential election and the Reconstruction
  • Rutherford B. Hayes

    Rutherford B. Hayes is inaugurated as President.
  • Reconstruction Ends

    President Rutherford Hayes withdraws federal troops from the South protecting the civil rights of African Americans