Freed slaves~We learned about the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction today. We learned how Union soldiers stayed in the South for 12 years to ensure the freedom of slaves. (now called Freedmen) They were also there to ensure that new amendments to the Constitution giving Freedmen the right to vote, go to public school, own land, run for public office, marry who they want, and live freely were enforced. This was a time of great progress for Blacks in the former slave states. This time period lasted from 1865-1877. At the end of Reconstruction, with no more Union soldiers to enforce the laws, and a government not willing to enforce the new laws, most of the new laws were ignored and Blacks were again 2nd class citizens. Laws were passed to ensure that they remain 2nd class citizens. Most of these laws would be enforced until the middle 1960's.
This picture shows how poor freed slaves were in 1865
Black Senators and Congressmen elected during Reconstruction
A school set up by the Freedmen's BureauAt the end of the Civil War General William T. Sherman (the one who burned Atlanta to the ground) ordered that each Freedmen with a family be provided with 40 acres of land to farm and a mule to help plow it. Few Freedmen ever received the land or the mule. President Andrew Johnson soon removed this 40 acres order.
General Sherman
~In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President. The election was very very close. White Southern Democrats promised to support Hayes if he removed ALL Union troops from the South. In order to become President, Hayes promised to do so....ending all hopes of full citizenship for Freedmen in the South.
President Hayes
~Please note that NO women could vote at this time, Black or White. It would be another 55 years before women were allowed to vote.
Today's puzzle:
1. wboersltd
2. tornadocalm
3. footprint footprint footprint
sunshine
Yesterday's answers:
1. bear in the woods
2. whole lot of nothing
3. mowing the grass
