Du Bois once said, "It was Negro loyalty and the Negro vote alone that restored the South to the Union; established the new democracy, both for white and black." Those who agree with this statement declare that Reconstruction was a great success. Although Reconstruction could have made a greater improvement, it was a success due to the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Congress's institution of the 14th and 15th Amendments, and the African Americans" involvement in Reconstruction. .
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was a major step towards bringing the country back together. Although Johnson tried to veto the act, Congress retaliated by overriding his veto. The Civil Rights Act gave African Americans citizenship in the United States. Also, it kept states from passing laws that hindered African Americans" lives. As Congress started the process to bring equal opportunities to all in the United States, this Act was very important. This Act helped Reconstruction because it gave African Americans more freedom in a country where they were already supposed to be free.
Congress drafted the 14th and 15th Amendments in hopes of righting the wrongs that had been committed against African Americans. The 14th Amendment ordered the states to give equal rights and privileges to all US citizens. Although African Americans were not yet allowed the right to vote, they had equal representation in Congress. In 1870, two years after the 14th Amendment was ratified, Congress made the 15th .
Amendendment. In this Amendment, African Americans were given the right to vote, and it denied the states the right to discriminate against them because of their color. These Amendments were important for the success of Reconstruction because they gave African Americans equal rights in voting. The African Americans now had a voice in elections, and that helped in bringing about total equality. .
The African Americans had a main influence in Reconstruction.
