The Reconstruction

One of the most turbulent and controversial eras in American history.

Lasting Legacy

• The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were inducted in the U.S. Constitution during the time of Reconstruction.

Casting the voteThis engraving depicts three members of the black community - an artisan, a member of the middle class, and a soldier - standing in line to cast their ballots.

The 15th Amendment

• The Fifteenth Amendment, adopted in 1870, prevented states and the federal government from restricting suffrage based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Southern propaganda aimed to exploit organizations that sought the benefit of freed slaves.

• The Freedman’s Bureau:

• This cartoon's racist imagery played upon public fears that government assistance would benefit indolent freedmen at the expense of white workers.

• The caption from the online exhibit is as follows: "The national debate over reconstruction, and in particular, the Freedman's Bureau, is evident in a campaign broadside from Pennsylvania's gubernatorial campaign of 1866.

Formation of white supremacist groups

• 1868 Republican cartoon identifies Democratic candidate Horatio Seymour (right panel) with KKK violence and with Confederate soldiers (left panel).

The Black CodesA series of laws passed by Southern states to define freedman's rights and responsibilities, considered by many Northerners as just another form of slavery.

Selling a Freeman to Pay His Fine at Monticello, Florida,"

Reconstruction: Was it achieved?This elaborate allegory with religious overtones embodies the lofty ideals associated with the early years of Reconstruction. The United States, depicted as a colossal pavillion, is literally being reconstructed as the old columns of slavery are replaced with Justice, Liberty, and Education

Citation PageNARA/ The National Archives Experience. Retrieved August 2, 2007, from www.archives.gov Web site: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_zoom_1.html

(2007). Retrieved August 2, 2007, Web site:http://multimedialearning.org/images/newcovers/reconstruction.jpg

Retrieved August 2, 2007, from Welcome to CUNY.EDU-The City University of New York Web site: http://www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/voting_cal/photos/reconstruction_01.jpg

(November 22, 2006). Retrieved August 2, 2007, from www.wikipedia.org Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Free-bur.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Free-bur.jpg

(2006). Wikimedia.org/wikipedia. Retrieved August 2, 2007, from wikimedia.org Web site:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9d/%7EKKK.JPG

Mintz, S. (2007). Digital History. Retrieved (August 2, 2007) fromhttp://www.digitalhistory.uh.eduhttp://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/reconstruction/credits.html