| Equality for African Americans during Radical Reconstruction (1864-1870) |
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Sections:- Radicalism and Conservatism, Harper's Weekly Editorial, April 29, 1866, Page 242
- White and Freemen Populations in Southern States
- William T. Sherman, Special Field Orders, No. 15, Jan. 16, 1865
- African Freedmen's Inquiry Commission Report (1864)
- Constitution of the United States, 13th Amendment (proposed 1865; ratified 1865)
- Constitution of the United States, 14th Amendment (proposed 1866; ratified 1868)
- The Civil Rights Act of 1866 (April 9, 1866)
- Constitution of the United States, 15th Amendment (proposed 1869; ratified 1870)
- Photograph of Hiram Revels
- “Time Works Wonders” by Thomas Nast, published April 9, 1870
- Southern Treatment by the Federal Government, American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940
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| Historical Context
Harper’s Weekly, led by editor George William Curtis and cartoonist Thomas Nast, supported the Radical Republican policies for Reconstruction. Attached Documents
In his editorial of April 29, 1866, Curtis delineated the Radical and Conservative positions on Reconstruction filtered through his perspective as a leading Radical. He presented arguments for the reasonableness of the Radicals’ case and the limitations of the Conservatives’ case.
Questions to Consider
1. What policies did the Radical Republicans believe should be enacted by the government during Reconstruction?
2. What were the Conservatives ideas about Reconstruction?
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| Historical Context
A key difference between the Radicals and Conservatives related to whether or not the Freedmen should be given the right to vote. If African-Americans received suffrage, they were expected to vote for Republicans. Attached Documents
A look at the statistics published in the editorial "The Trial of the Government" on May 26, 1866, shows why the struggle between President Johnson and Congress over the control of Reconstruction was, to some extent, about the future control of Congress.
Questions to Consider
1. How would the votes of freedmen effect Democratic officeholders in the South?
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This order given by General Sherman is the origin of the common belief that freedmen were guaranteed “forty acres and a mule” after the Civil War. This order was eventually retracted as Confederate soldiers returned from war to claim their land.
Questions to Consider
1. Which areas of land were to be granted to freemen according to this order?
2. Are mules mentioned in this order?
Extension: Investigate where the idea of getting a free mule from the government originated.
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| Historical Context
The American Freedmen's Inquiry Commission was established during the Civil War, after the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation, to determine the condition of free slaves. The Commission was appointed in March of 1863 by U.S. Secretary of War, Edwin McMasters Stanton, to "inquire into the condition of the Colored population emancipated by acts of Congress and the proclamations of the president, and to consider and report what measures are necessary to give practical effect to those acts and proclamations, so as to place the Colored people of the United States in a condition of self-support and self-defense..."
Attached Documents
The 1864 report outlines the type or aid the commission recommends be provided to freemen.
Questions to Consider
1. Why do the authors believe a Freedmen’s Bureau is needed?
2. What kind of aid do the authors believe the Freedmen’s Bureau should provide?
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The 13th amendment outlawed slavery in the United States permanently.
Questions to Consider
1. Who will enforce the end of slavery?
Extension question: How will the end of slavery effect the economy of the South?
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The 14th amendment granted citizenship to African-Americans and guaranteed their right to due process under the law.
Questions to Consider
1. To whom does the 14th amendment grant citizenship?
2. Refer to article I, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution to determine how the 14th amendment changed the apportionment of Congress.
3. Who does this amendment specifically exclude from serving in Congress or other high offices in the United States government?
4. What responsibility will the Congress and the citizens of the United States have in guaranteeing these rights to African-Americans?
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An Act to protect all Persons in the United States in their Civil Rights,and furnish the Means of their Vindication.
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The 15th amendment guarantees the right to vote to African Americans.
Questions to Consider
1. According to this amendment who has the right to vote in the United States?
2. Who has the responsibility of guaranteeing this right is protected?
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| Historical Context
Hiram Revels was the first African American elected to the United States Senate. He represented the state of Mississippi and filled the seat that had been held by Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, before the Civil War.
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In his April 9, 1870 cartoon Thomas Nast showed the newly arrived black Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi (as Othello) sitting in the chair occupied by Jefferson Davis before he became President of the Confederacy. Radical Republican Senator Charles Sumner welcomed Senator Revels, along with Republican Senators Henry Wilson (MA), Oliver Morton (IN), and Carl Schurz (MO), while Jeff Davis as Iago skulked outside the door.
Questions to Consider
1. How is Revels being treated?
2. What is Davis’ reaction?
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| Historical Context
Sarah Ann Pringle was born in Mississippi in 1845. She moved to Texas with her family right after the Civil War. Attached Documents
In this interview, which took place in the late 1930s, Sarah Ann Pringle recalls some of the events that occurred during Reconstruction.
Questions to Consider
1. What is her attitude toward white Southerners and their treatment by the federal government?
2. What do you think accounts for her views?
3. Would people with different views agree with her conclusions about "peace" in the South? Why or why not?
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