In the period between 1860 and 1877, many major changes were taking place within America. Many constitutional developments in this time period were a revolution. Developments during this revolution include the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which gave rights to ex-slaves. Social developments that led to the revolution include the expansion of industry, the federal government gaining more power, and the first welfare system in America.
In the period after the civil war, between the years of 1860 and 1877, many changes were being made to the Constitution, mainly the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. These amendments freed slaves and gave them more rights. There is a picture of the first black man to vote in Document G. This shows how changes were beginning to take place in America due to the new amendments. A new banking system was put into place, as to nationalize the country. Senator John Sherman, a republican from Ohio, stated in Document B, that this new banking system could be used to make the country more unified. By having a national currency, it could be easier to maintain the government; state authority does not come before federal authority. Senator Lot Morill in a speech to Congress in Document F, stated that any change to the Constitution was a revolution in itself, and he is right, because for each amendment to the Constitution, it is the result of a new way of thinking. Such changes to the Constitution, such as rights for slaves, and a national bank, show the major changes that took effect between 1860 and 1877, being the result of a revolution.
Although many constitutional changes were being made, things in the states stayed relatively the same as they were before the Civil War. The 13th Amendment forbade slavery, the 14th said that ex-slaves were to be considered citizens, and if they weren't then states would lose power in the Electoral College. Finally, the 15th Amendment gave black males the right to vote.
