5th Amendments Of The Reconstruction Era
The Reconstruction Era was a time of incredible upheaval and violence propelled by politics. The 5th amendments addition to the constitution in 1870, direct disenfranchisement was no longer permitted. Southern whites constructed alternative techniques in order to accomplish their goal— to silence black voices during elections. These methods included literacy test, electoral fraud (ballot stuffing), poll taxes, the grandfather clause and violence. The Process of Reconstruction lasted from 1863 to 1877. In 1868 the addition of the 14th Amendment granted former slaves their citizenship. Voters are specified as male. Although the amendment prohibits states from repudiating any rights of citizenship. Voting regulation was left to the discretion
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The grandfather clause was an enactment authorized by Southern states during the commencement of Reconstruction. The Grandfather Clause indicated a potential voter could vote if his grandfather could voter after January 1, 1864. The 13th amendment, which abolished slavery was not ratified until December 6, 1865. Due to the 15th amendments addition to the constitution, the Supreme Court deemed the grandfather clause unconstitutional because it violated equal voting rights. White southerners reacted violently and erratically, due to blacks advocating and exercising their right to vote. With the radical Reconstruction, you get political violence. Terrorist government organized groups including the the Ku Klux Klan, the Knights of the White Camellia and the White League, were all amassed with the intent to enforce the plan of radical reconstruction. The Ku Klux Klan used violence, lynching, intimidation and in order to prevent black and white republicans from exercising their voting rights. Blacks were not fully accepted and for years to come still were not. Therefore, the Radical Reconstruction was realistic and did its “job” to establish African American citizenship and monitor the South’s readmission. The word "reconstruct" is defined as "to construct again; rebuild; make over." Meaning, America did not have any intentions on eliminating prejudice nor racism. America’s reconstruction should have been about redefining American society. Reconstruction of the "new south" was only a means of ensuring economic prosperity for southern
The grandfather clause was an enactment authorized by Southern states during the commencement of Reconstruction. The Grandfather Clause indicated a potential voter could vote if his grandfather could voter after January 1, 1864. The 13th amendment, which abolished slavery was not ratified until December 6, 1865. Due to the 15th amendments addition to the constitution, the Supreme Court deemed the grandfather clause unconstitutional because it violated equal voting rights. White southerners reacted violently and erratically, due to blacks advocating and exercising their right to vote. With the radical Reconstruction, you get political violence. Terrorist government organized groups including the the Ku Klux Klan, the Knights of the White Camellia and the White League, were all amassed with the intent to enforce the plan of radical reconstruction. The Ku Klux Klan used violence, lynching, intimidation and in order to prevent black and white republicans from exercising their voting rights. Blacks were not fully accepted and for years to come still were not. Therefore, the Radical Reconstruction was realistic and did its “job” to establish African American citizenship and monitor the South’s readmission. The word "reconstruct" is defined as "to construct again; rebuild; make over." Meaning, America did not have any intentions on eliminating prejudice nor racism. America’s reconstruction should have been about redefining American society. Reconstruction of the "new south" was only a means of ensuring economic prosperity for southern