Congressional Reconstruction And The South
It is a right of every human being to enjoy the basic civil rights on earth. The “congressional reconstruction and the south” is also about humans and their rights. The term reconstruction not only represents the reformation of constitution, but, also refers to the change in people’s perception and revolutionizes the society to civilize. The congressional reconstruction was introduced in 1863 and continued up till 1877. It was post civil war era of the United States. After war there was an anarchy situation in south due to a huge bloodshed during the war. Survivors were not happy and bear the intentions to revenge or standout up till the last bullet. However, at that tense period congress had initiated the amendments in constitution that were associated with the power of people, civil rights, and self independence. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are renowned as the constitutional legacies of reconstruction. The amendments were prepared in consideration of every kind of freedom with equal rights under the law, especially to overcome the turmoil of south and to reform the constitution according to the humanism.
Constitutional amendments had greatly influence to overcome the disordered situation in south. The amendments were incorporated in the constitutional especially to release the worries and unhappiness of the people of south.
13th Amendment:
This amendment was for the abolition of slavery. After war it was examine by Abraham Lincoln that slavery was still legal in those states. So, the third amendment makes slavery void and slavery is clearly declared as an illegal act, except as punishment of a crime.
14th Amendment:
This amendment was adopted to give the citizenship rights to the people especially after civil war catastrophe. It clearly provides definition of citizenship of United States, the rights of citizens, and safeguarding the life, liberty, and property of the people. There are also number of clauses that deal with the Confederacy and its officials.
15th Amendment:
The fifteenth amendment is also a part of congressional reconstruction process after the civil war. This amendment deals with the right to vote without any distinction of race, color and previous condition of slavery. It is articulated in the amendment that each government in the United States should ensure the people’s right of vote without any discrimination.
Constitutional amendments not only provide equal rights to the people of south of United States. It also put a great impact on the lives of people of south specifically and the people of United States generally. These amendments had opened the equal opportunities for everyone as it was written by historian “All the public schools, colleges, and universities of this State, supported in whole or in part by the public funds, shall be free and open to all the children and youths of the State, without regard to race or color”