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The Fourteenth Amendment
Prohibits states from abridging “privileges” and “immunities” of citizens
Guarantees “equal protection under the law”
Gave congress the power to reduce congressional representation to any state that denied any group of men to vote
The Fifteenth Amendment
Federal and state governments could not deny any citizen the right to vote on the basis of race Prior to this
amendment, only eight northern states allowed black males to vote
American Anti-Slavery Society disbands after amendments ratification
Who is going to take umbrage with the way in which the amendment is written?
Changing Views on Government
Most Americans had believed from the adoption of the Bill of Rights that the federal government posed a threat to civil liberties
After the Reconstruction Amendments, the federal government provided and protected civil liberties The Constitution went
beyond protecting property rights
[The federal government has
become] the custodian of
freedom
Impeachment
Johnson vetoed Congress’ Reconstruction Act, but is overridden by Congress
To limit Johnson’s influence over Reconstruction, Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act Tenure of Office Act The president
cannot remove certain office holders (e.g. cabinet members) without the approval of Congress
Johnson defies the act and removes his Secretary of War
Johnson is impeached, but not convicted
Black Freedom
Blacks took part in political meetings and grassroots gatherings
Blacks ran for political office
Black Freedom
Black Officeholders Roughly 2,000 blacks
held public office during Reconstruction
Fourteen congressional representatives
Two black senators (both from Mississippi) Only four others have
been elected since 1875
Blacks served on juries