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Summary Notes on US Civil Rights - African Americans
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Extensive notes on African Americans as part of the OCR History Course on Civil Rights in the USA.
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By: manuela08 • 7 year ago
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African Americans – Reconstruction 1865-77:Hypothesis of period: gained important legal civil rights through constitutional amendments and
Congressional acts. But didn’t materialise de facto and beginning to lose many of these civil rights
by 1877. As W.E.B. Du Bois later remarked: the ex-slave “stood a brief moment in the sun” before it
went behind a large cloud for a prolonged period.
Republicans vs Democrats: in early period was other way round – Democrats in South and pro-
slavery, Republicans in the North and opposed to slavery. Southern states began seceding from the
Union at the end of 1860 in order to form their own Confederacy.
Thirteenth Amendment April 1865: followed Emancipation Proclamation of 1st Jan 1863 and
abolished slavery. Unleashing of 3.5m AA’s into society made issue of CR significant in post-war
period, particularly following assassination of Lincoln just days later (14th Apr). Andrew Johnson was
VP but was pro-slavery and from the South – thus resulting fight between Congress and President
Johnson.
Black codes: set up in 1865/66 by southern states determined to keep AAs in an inferior position
socially, economically and politically. Many were nullified by the northern military commanders, but
reveals southern attitudes to black rights. Cultural: inter-racial marriages outlawed, barred from
giving evidence against a white person or being on a jury. Political: prevented from voting.
Economic: where allowed to obtain education, often enforced segregation de facto.
CRA 1866: all races (except NAs) were full US citizens and thus should have guaranteed legal
equality.
Military Reconstruction Act – March 1867: divided South into five military districts, Army Generals
decided who voted and states had to accept Reconstruction laws to be re-admitted to Congress
14th Amendment 1868: equal protection under the law
15th Amendment 1870: forbade the denial of vote on grounds of race, colour etc.
Johnson vs Congress: Whilst radical Republicans were passing Reconstruction Acts, Johnson issued
thousands of pardons to Southerners and said nothing about the civil rights of freed slaves (although
he insisted on the ratification of 13th A). Thus Black Codes resulted. Johnson attempted to veto
many pieces of legislation in 1866/67 but Congress was determined and had 2/3rds vote necessary
to override. Congress even tried unsuccessfully to impeach him leading to Johnson losing much of
his political clout.
Radical Republicans’ ulterior motives: saw the political advantage of smashing the power of
southern landowners who supported the Democrats. Also would enfranchised AAs not vote
Republican?
Extent of political rights: had gained greatly from Republican reconstruction regardless of whether
the real motive behind the policies had sometimes been the punishment of the Confederate states -
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