13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Henry McNeal Turner, and Ku Klux Klan

The most important amendments pertaining to slavery are the 13th,14th, and 15th. Most importantly, the 13th forbids slavery forever in the United States. Next, the 14th grants citizenship and equal protection under law to all freedmen. Lastly, the 15th amendment grants the right to all men regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Therefore, with those laws blacks became free citizens that could vote. Additionally, black men legislators and politicians were elected. One of the most famous men, Henry McNeal Turner who was a minister was elected to theGeorgia General Assembly. However, shortly after he and other black legislators were removed from the assembly by the Democratic (white) legislature. The Federal government disagreed with the Democrats who stated that the right to vote did not mean blacks could hold office. After, the African Americans were given their spots back as legislatures. As blacks were gaining more rights and freedom many anti-blacks mobs formed. The most famous, the Ku Klux Klan or the KKK were considered America's first domestic terrorists. Using violence they tried to stop black people from voting and deprive them of any other rights. The first klan was started in 1866 in Pulaski,Tennessee by six Confederate veterans. These white terrorists mainly located in the South felt superior to African Americans and showed the discontent through unlawful ways. Lynching was one of their famous ways to kill blacks and they would even target white sympathizers. 4,743 people died (most of them black) between 1882 and 1968. Generally they were known to where white clothes to cover their faces and at night they would set off the kill, destroy, or hurt anybody they disagreed with. This group scared many Radical Republicans and other blacks who tried to start businesses. With groups like these it was very difficult for the African American population to thrive.

Pictures:
1.http://icplibrary.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/w-eugene-smiths-photographs-of-a-ku-klux-klan-kkk-meeting-in-south-carolina-in-1951/
2.http://theforgottenprophet.blogspot.com/
3.http://www.eddana.com/FAVORITES/US-constitution.htm
4.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KKK.svg