Upon assuming the office of President after the murder of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson immediately launched his drive for Southern Reconstruction. On May 29, 1865, only six weeks after Lincoln's assassination, he took the first step with his Amnesty Proclamation. Under this agreement, all persons who had participated directly or indirectly in the rebellion, save certain groups, would have all their rights and properties (except the ownership of slaves) restored to them upon taking a loyalty pledge...
A major fact stood out clearly in Johnson's scheme - Negroes were not to be extended the right to vote. The whole plan was aimed at restoring the ex-slaveholders to political power at once. This was what Johnson intended and also what happened in fact. As early as July 15, 1865 Engels wrote of this situation to Marx: "If things go on like this, in six months all the old villains of secession will be sitting in Congress in Washington"...
While thus "reconstructing" themselves, eight Southern states worked out Black Codes (and the rest developed similar procedures) to establish planter domination and exploitation of the newly-freed slaves. While not identical, they all ran along similar lines. Civil liberties were severely restricted. The ex-slaves, of course, had no votes and could not serve on juries. They were prohibited marriage with whites. They were denied the commonly-practiced right of bearing arms. Their right to own land was restricted. They could not act as preachers without licence. They were prohibited from introducing unasked among whites. Any white man could arrest a Negro. Elaborate work regulations were prescribed. Negro workers were known as "servants" and employers as "masters." working hours on the farm were from sunup to sunset. Infraction of labor discipline brought fines. Negroes who left before the expiration of their labor contracts could be arrested and returnd with all costs charged against them. The masters could whip workers under 19 age of age, and older workers by judicial order. Mississippi even rejected a resolution prohibiting slavery...
In all when Congress met on December 5th, 1865, from the Confederacy sat Alexander Stephens, vice-president of the Confederacy, four Confederate generals, five confederate colonels, six confederate cabinet officers and 58 confederate congressmen...
-W. Z. Foster
Once the war was over and slavery outlawed by the 13th amendment, amendments 14, 15 and 24 were necessitated by continuing violations of the rights of african american to exercise their citizenship.
1865 - 13th amendment
outlawing slavery
1868 - 14th amendment
everyone born in the u.s. is a citizen and is accorded all rights of citizenship
1 vote per man (no longer 3/5th rule)
1870 - 15th amendment
once again, all citizens are citizens regardless of former servitude (ex-slaves)
1964 - 24th amendment
no poll tax shall be required to vote
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