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Reconstruction

After the Civil War, the North had to deal with bringing the South back into the Union.
The plan for rebuilding the South and reuniting it with the Union was called
Reconstruction.

Many people in the North disagreed on how reuniting the nation should be done. They
also disagreed how to ensure the freedom and civil rights of former slaves.
Black Codes

Many former Confederate states passed laws known as Black Codes. These codes were
created to keep the South’s way of life as close as it was before the war.

Black Codes were designed to continue providing cheap labor for Southern farmers.
Former slaves were required to sign unfair labor contracts.

If freedman that were unemployed and did not have a home could be arrested and fined.
If the fines were not paid, they were forced to work to pay off the fine.

Freedman could not vote or hold public office.
Freedman’s Bureau

The U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedman, and Abandoned Lands was established by
Congress on March 3, 1865.

The Freedman’s Bureau was created to provide health care, education, and assistance to
freedman.

Schools were created and hospitals.

The Freedmen’s Bureau was established in 1865 largely as a relief effort, as many formerly
enslaved people found themselves with no homes, food, or means of support following the
war’s end and emancipation. Through 1872, the Bureau provided basic needs (food, clothing,
shelter, even land) to people; established schools and hospitals; worked to reunite families
separated by the horrors of slavery and war; handled legal disagreements; and made sure that
people who fought in the war got paid. Unfortunately, politicians were slow to respond to the
needs of the newly emancipated (freed) citizens, and the Bureau struggled to complete its work.
It also faced major problems from many Southern Whites who did not want to see formerly
enslaved people receive equal opportunity as citizens.
Reconstruction Amendments
A. 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment freed all slaves within the United States and made slavery
illegal forever.

Congress was given the power to make sure people followed the amendment.
B. 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to men over 21 who had been born or became a
citizen in the United States.

It also guaranteed due process (the right to a jury trial) and equal protection under the
law.

Women and Native American were included.
C. 15th Amendment

The 15th Amendment gave all males over the age of 21 the right to vote.

Women and Native American were included.

Many places in the South ignored the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and continued to
keep former slaves from their rights.