What Are The Changes After The Reconstruction Of African Americans

An example for the future, Reconstruction governments in the south and in the federal government accomplished more than anyone could have imagined. Following the civil war, the Union appointed Republican governments in the former Confederate states. These governments did much more than restore the states to their former glory: they instilled their values in the laws. The states’ laws were more pluralistic than ever, and quality of life for African Americans was greatly improved. The Republican governments gave the freed African Americans many new rights in states and nationally. One of the most important changes made was the citizenship that African Americans received when Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868. After the Civil War, former slaves still lacked citizenship, and where often mistreated by whites; some of it was violent, while in other cases it was financial exploitation. However, without citizenship, the freedmen couldn’t defend themselves. After plenty of debate, for fear of the public’s reaction, Congress decided to go ahead and pass the Amendment. As citizens, African Americans could defend themselves in court, and would later be able to vote. It was 1870, freed African Americans gained the right to vote. This was a feat that seemed impossible to many due to the controversy of the
The Union was on a high note after early victories in West Virginia. Lincoln ordered Brigadier General Irvin McDowell to launch an offensive on the South, to open the way to Richmond so the war would end quickly. This would begin with an attack on P.G.T Beauregard's 20,000 men at Bull Run. McDowell was against an immediate attack because he felt his men were too ill prepared for battle, so he felt postponement was necessary. Lincoln was against a postponement because he believed the opposing army was also composed of amateur