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The Road to Reconstruction
Douglass’ fight for equality
Frederick Douglass and the abolitionists argued that the goal of the Civil War was to end slavery.
Emancipation and the ending of slavery was ratified by passage of the 13th Amendment, which also
citizenship to freedom. The 14th Amendment provided for civil rights for all people and equal protection
under the law. The 15th Amendment protected all citizens from being discriminated against in voting
because of race.
April 9, 1865 – Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
After his victory over the Confederate Army in Richmond/Petersburg, General Ulysses S. Grant called
upon Robert E. Lee to surrender. On April 9, the two generals met at Appomattox Courthouse, and
agreed on the surrender terms of Lee’s army. Lee’s men were sent home on parole – soldiers with their
horses, and officers with their side arms. The fighting of the Civil War was over almost four years
to the day that the war began on April 12, 1861.
“After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage
and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to
yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.”
-General Robert E. Lee, Army of Northern Virginia, C.S.A
April 14, 1865 – Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln sought to make the reconstruction of the United States back into one united
nation as quickly and painlessly as possible. Northerners had saved the Union but
were angry at the Southerners and thought there should be harsh consequences for the south, whom they
blamed for the tragedy that was the Civil War. As a result, Southerners were upset over losing the war
and felt bitterness towards Northerners. Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theater on April 14,
1865 left the country in turmoil as his successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, struggled to maintain
order.
Directions: Using the information above answer the following questions.
1. What did Frederick Douglass and other Abolitionists feel was the goal of the Civil War?
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2. When was the surrender of Appomattox Courthouse?
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3. Who were the two generals that met for the surrender at Appomattox?
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4. What happened on April 14, 1865?
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5. Where was Lincoln assassinated?
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6. With the war over and Lincoln dead, the country was faced with difficult times. Who became president
after his assassination?
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7. The citizens of the United States will react differently to the war being over. How did…
 Northerners feel?
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 Southerners feel?
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