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‘Constitutional Amendments introduced during the Reconstruction period significantly improved the position of black Americans in the years 1865–77.’ How far do you agree with this statement? £9.16
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‘Constitutional Amendments introduced during the Reconstruction period significantly improved the position of black Americans in the years 1865–77.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
This is an A* essay that you can use to answer the question ‘Constitutional Amendments introduced during the Reconstruction period significantly improved the position of black Americans in the years 1865–77.’ How far do you agree with this statement? It evaluates the 13th, 14th and 15th Amend...
‘Constitutional Amendments introduced during the Reconstruction
period significantly improved the position of black Americans in the
years 1865–77.’ How far do you agree with this statement? (Total for
Question 3 = 20 marks)
Intro:
The period of 1865-77 marked a significant advancement in the position of black Americans,
with the constitutional amendments underlying this success. However, the amendments
were often undermined by white supremacist groups or other factors that limit their
success.
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment confirmed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and abolished
slavery in the US
This led to an improved position of black Americans as 4 million enslaved individuals
were set free from these harsh conditions to seek employment, education, and
pursue economic independence
A Freedman’s Bureau was set up to oversee black rights.
The social lives of many African Americans improved as a result of the Freedmen’s
Bureau.
This helped establish black churches and schools, and increased participation in civic
life which helped them integrate within society. It gave African Americans access to
education, establishing schools and educational institutions across the South, in
which they could then get higher skilled and well-paid jobs from. The bureau also
negotiated labour contracts to protect the rights of African American workers,
provided legal aid, and advocated for civil rights. It offered medical assistance,
established hospitals, and distributed food and clothing
Furthermore, African Americans also made progress in education, with the founding
of institutions like historically black colleges and universities.
The 13th Amendment created four million new freemen in the USA
When the 13th Amendment proposal was passed by the House of Representatives,
many black Americans were allowed to attend public gallery, a position from which
they had been barred until 1864. Also following the adoption of the 13 th
Amendment, Congress and many northern states passed legislation which began to
break down the second-class position of black Americans. Black witnesses were now
allowed in federal court cases. They could be postmen and ride on streetcars in the
capital, Washington D.C.
Against 13th Amendment
Southern states passed discriminatory Black Codes that attempted to remand black
Americans into servitude. Radical Republicans were disillusioned by the lack of
enforcement of the spirit of the 13th Amendment.
Black codes – These discriminated against ex-slaves. In Mississippi, black Americans
were forbidden from owning land, and in South Carolina they could not own
property in towns. Black people had to show passes when on the roads and were
forbidden from carrying arms or liquor. Vagrant former slaves who had left
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