2. Reconstruction

• History
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

The 13th Amendment said:

1. There is no slavery in the USA
2. No state can deny a citizen their vote
3. All people born in the United States are citizens
4. Everyone must eat jelly

The 14th Amendment said:

1. There is no slavery in the USA
2. No state can deny a citizen their vote
3. All people born in the United States are citizens
4. Everyone must wear hats

The 15th Amendment said:

1. There is no slavery in the USA
2. No state can deny a citizen their vote
3. All people born in the United States are citizens
4. Everyone must wear Batman costumes

The oath of allegiance was:

1. A promise to stay in the USA
2. A promise to pay taxes
3. A promise to follow all US laws
4. A promise to buy US goods

What emotions are ordinary Americans experiencing?

Challenges for former slaves?

Reconstruction in the South

To keep the ex-confederates out of power, in 1867 Congress passed a new Act. 

The Act divided the South into five temporary military districts each run by an Army General. 

To get out of military rule states would have to hold elections, rewrite its constitution and approve the 14th Amendment. It would then be readmitted to the Union and allowed a political vote in the senate. 

After 1870

Once most states had been readmitted to the union there was still a struggle to establish African Americans roles in society. 

Some African Americans were educated and had served in the Union army. They became politicians, leaders, teachers and established independent churches. They also organised mutual-aid clubs and societies. 

Highlight 3 key facts on your sheet that you will remember. 

What was the most significant consequence of reconstruction?