Reconstruction After the Civil War
Robert E. Lee surrendered to the north in 1865. Although the war had officially ended, what occurred after proved to be just as large as a conundrum. Slavery had been abolished once the war ended, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were passed. These abolished slavery across America, put no men above or below the law regardless of race, and stated that all American citizens had the right to vote, regardless of color or race. In 1865 Andrew Johnson became president, and he was very lenient towards the south. He let the federal government decide how to treat the free African Americans, and let the south establish Black Codes. These were laws that limited what a so called "free" African American could or could not do. Andrew Johnson also vetoed the Civil Rights Bill, which stated that everyone, no matter race or color, who was born in the United States was a free citizen. Johnson's actions aggravated the north so much, Republicans took over the reconstruction of the south. Congress passed the Reconstruction Act of 1867 which divided the south into 5 districts and forced the south to ratify the 14th amendment. With the help of the Union, all the formerly confederate states had again become part of the Union in 1870.
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