Life After Reconstruction Essay
During reconstruction, black lives had changed dramatically. There were changes that related to slavery, and changes that gave blacks citizenship, voting rights, civil rights, and much more. The period of reconstruction was a struggle for African Americans, however by the time it was over, they could all breathe a sigh of relief. After the South was defeated by the Union army, people of color nationwide were declared free; however, blacks had to find their own course of action during the reconstructed South. With slavery abolished, the South was bitter. Being one of the most positive changes for people of color after the Civil War, the abolishment of slavery was a large percentage of the Souths economy. Due to the downfall of the economy,
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It was like they were being treated like slaves again. If a black man or woman quit their job before the contract ended, they would not receive pay. Many white southerners threatened blacks with firearms on the last day of their entitled jobs, meaning they “left” or “quit” their job. Basically like they were slaves again, not receiving any pay for a specific farm job, and because of this many black families either starved, or became poor. Some states even attempted to restrict blacks from even owning land in the first place, and without land these blacks were homeless. This was an indication that little changed during the post-civil war times. Blacks were finally relieved when The Civil Rights bill was passed, which granted full citizenship to African Americans. This had overturned the black codes and the Dred Scott decision. Congress had also voted to strengthen, and enlarge the Freedman’s Bureau to construct schools, and punish those who deprived blacks of their civil rights. The Freedman’s Bureau bill, and the Civil Rights bill were previously vetoed by Johnson. They were passed through congress once more, and it overthrew Johnsons veto. This was one of the most positive changes during the post-civil war. As blacks were given full rights just like whites, given education, rights, and happiness. When the confederate states rejoined the union, African Americans were granted voting rights, and the fourteenth amendment was
It was like they were being treated like slaves again. If a black man or woman quit their job before the contract ended, they would not receive pay. Many white southerners threatened blacks with firearms on the last day of their entitled jobs, meaning they “left” or “quit” their job. Basically like they were slaves again, not receiving any pay for a specific farm job, and because of this many black families either starved, or became poor. Some states even attempted to restrict blacks from even owning land in the first place, and without land these blacks were homeless. This was an indication that little changed during the post-civil war times. Blacks were finally relieved when The Civil Rights bill was passed, which granted full citizenship to African Americans. This had overturned the black codes and the Dred Scott decision. Congress had also voted to strengthen, and enlarge the Freedman’s Bureau to construct schools, and punish those who deprived blacks of their civil rights. The Freedman’s Bureau bill, and the Civil Rights bill were previously vetoed by Johnson. They were passed through congress once more, and it overthrew Johnsons veto. This was one of the most positive changes during the post-civil war. As blacks were given full rights just like whites, given education, rights, and happiness. When the confederate states rejoined the union, African Americans were granted voting rights, and the fourteenth amendment was