-
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln's assassination was important to reconstruction because it was originally suppoed to be overseen by him. His death led to reconstruction being controlled by Andrew Johnson. -
Johnson Announces His Own Plan
President Johnson announces his own plan for reconstruction. It was essentially the same as Lincoln's plan, but the one difference was him not wanting wealthy Confederates to vote. -
Congress Enlarges the Freedmen's Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was a major piece of Reconstruction legislation. It offered medical aid and education to freed slaves and war refugees. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 Passed
This was the first piece of legislation to be enacted over a presidential veto. This act granted citizenship and preotection under law to all African-Americans. -
Reconstruction Act of 1867 Passed
This act abolished governments formed in the former Confederate states. It then divided those states into five military districts. -
Fourteenth Amendment Ratified
This amendment was a major contributor to Reconstruction. It declared all people born in the U.S. citizens and kept most Confederate leaders from holding political office. -
Fifteenth Amendment Ratified
Another major piece of legislation for Reconstruction. This amendment states that no one can be kept from voting based off "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." -
Enforcement Act of 1870 Passed
Signed into law by Ulysses S. Grant, this act protected the voting rights for African Americans. In addition to that, it also gave the federal government the power to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment.
