Graphic of part of the Emancipation Proclamation
Rights and POwer: The POlitics of Reconstruction
Link to Part 1 of Section 4: Presidential Reconstruction Link to Part 2 of Section 4: Congress and Civil Rights Link to Part 3 of Section 4: The National Debate Over Reconstruction; IMpeachment; and the Election of Grant Link to Part 4 of Section 4: Reconstruction Government in the South Link to Biographies in Section 4

"The First Vote," engraving based on a sketch by Alfred R.Waud,
Harper's Weekly, November 16, 1867.

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Under provisions of the Reconstruction Act passed by Congress in 1867, Southern states could no longer restrict the right to vote because of race.

This engraving depicts three members of the black community - an artisan, a member of the middle class, and a soldier - standing in line to cast their ballots.

Read the First Reconstruction Act of 1867

Read the Second Reconstruction Act of 1867

Read the Third Reconstruction Act of 1867

Read the Fourth Reconstruction Act of 1867

Copyright 2003
he Meaning of Freedom: Black and White Responses to Slavery From Free Labor to Slave Labor Rights and Power: The Politics of Reconstruction The Ending of Reconstruction Epilogue: The Unfinished Revolution Additional Resources Credits for this Exhibit Link to return to Digital History Home Link to return to Reconstruction Home Introduction