Karl Kuno 2/11/14

During the Reconstruction era, from 1865-1877, African Americans achieved

political, social, and economical gains. These included gains such as the Freedmans
Bureau, the Homestead Act, as well as the 14
th
and 15
th
amendments. The
Freedmans Bureau resulted in a social gain for African Americans where as the
Homestead Act was economical and the 14
th
and 15
th
amendments were political.

The Freedmans Bureau was established postwar in 1865. The Bureau sought
to enhance the lives of the blacks in the South. After the war, many freed slaves were
still mistreated and were victims of racism. The Klu Klux Klan began and set out
against African American rights. Starting in the South in 1866, the Klan began to use
violence in attempts to cease African American rights. For example, Jack Dupree,
black and politically active in Mississippi, who had spoken out in favor of equal
rights, had his throat cut by the Klan and was disemboweled in front of his wife.
(Spiller). Although the war had ended, racism was still prevalent in the south. Many
southerners sought it as a reason to avoid speaking or acting out in accordance with
African American rights. These causes sparked the foundation of the Freedmans
Bureau. The bureau was founded in hopes to protect the rights of newly freed slaves
so that the nation would be able to come to terms with the idea of equality. After its
founding, the bureau began to build schools, hospitals, and also established the first
African American college. These accomplishments aided the growth of African
American equality and the beginning of social life for them. Black churches began to
come about and the first mixed jury soon came about in 1867, the Freedmans
Bureau helped to begin some social occurrences that people can still witness today.

The Southern Homestead Act was established in 1866 and set aside 44
million acres of land in five southern states. This would provoke African Americans
to get involved economically with the country. However, it was difficult for many to
easily find available land. Also, if one did find land, the land was usually quite poor
and those inhabiting the land usually did not have enough money to invest in
farming tools and seeds. Thus, Benjamin Singleton, a former slave, created the
Edgefield Real Estate and Homestead Association. This association helped African
Americans to find land in parts of the country that were of decent quality. This was
important because if those inhabiting the land need to be able to pay their
landowner. The Homestead Act was highly efficient in creating jobs for newly freed
slaves and allowed them to start making a living for themselves, which was
extremely important in the face of equality.

The 14
th
and 15
th
amendments were crucially important to African
Americans. Ratified in 1868, the 14
th
amendment gave citizenship to blacks and if
any state were to deny them of their right to vote the state would be penalized.
However, states still managed to find ways of getting around this aspect and were
still able to deny African Americans their right to vote. Abram Colby, a black
congressman, after turning down bribes from democrats, began to be targeted by
the Klan. He was whipped brutally and suffered back injuries. This forced President
Grant to put into place three Force Acts, which would help to limit out lashes
towards African Americans and ultimately stop the Klan.

Many of the changes and policies that were established during
reconstruction eventually diminished. However, the 14
th
and 15ht amendments are
still largely evident even today. Literacy tests may have attempted to stop African
Americans from voting, but over time equality started to become a role in life.
Therefore, literacy tests were no longer needed and the people began to accept
African Americans. Although there is still racism today, the 14
th
and 15
th

amendments will help to cease forms of discrimination.

Throughout the reconstruction era, there have been multiple policies and
acts that have partly determined the fate for African Americans. Despite a heavy
amount of loses, reconstruction did have some gains that would aid African
Americans. The Freedmans Bureau, the Homestead Act, and the 14
th
and 15
th

amendments all helped to increase African American equality while also helping
them to build a life for themselves and take part in political standings. Some of these
gains are still evident throughout modern day.