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Reconstructing the American South
- 1. Problems & Solutions After the Civil War
- 2. Amendments 13th: Freed Slaves 14th: Gave citizenship 15th: Gave right to vote Jim Crow Part I: Legislation
- 6. Jim Crow
Editor's Notes
- Many people believe Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed African American slaves, however, the emancipation proclamation was dependent on the Union winning the Civil War. In January 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed, officially ending forced servitude throughout the country. Even though the 13th Amendment freed the slaves, it did not grant them full citizenship.
- The 14th Amendment furthered the legislation begun by the 13th Amendment. The 14th amendment gave citizenship to individuals born within the united states, including African Americans. Due to the sudden increase in population in the South, congress decided congressmen should not be allowed to vote in nation-wide elections for the president and vice-president. This amendment also stated that individuals could not hold multiple offices, especially those who were once officers for the South. The final part of this amendment stated that the United States would pay due pensions, but would not take on the debt from the South. The loss of slaves would also not be compensated. This part of the amendment had a devastating effect on the south.
- The 15th Amendment gave the right to vote to all citizens, despite color, race, or previous servitude. This legislation was meant to prevent southern from discriminating against African Americans, especially at the voting booth. Despite it’s intention, the south was able to discriminate against african americans in other ways, especially in Jim Crow laws.
- Jim Crow was based on the Blackface plays of the south, which was an exaggerated stereotyping of African Americans. As the southern democrats gained power, African American votes were marginalized. While Jim Crow laws varied by local and state governments, all Jim Crow laws hindered basic rights of southern minorities. At the end of Plessy v. Ferguson, the supreme court ruled African Americans and white facilities could be separate and legal, which encouraged Jim Crow laws.