CIVIL WAR: THE FIRST TWO YEARS

CIVIL WAR: THE FIRST TWO YEARS

Comparison of North & South at beginning of Civil War

Union Confederacy Number of States 24 11 Population 22 million 6 million (+ 3.5 million slaves) UNION CONFEDERACY TERRITORIES BORDER STATES (states with slavery that did not secede)

INDUSTRY 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 Union Confederacy 20 10 0 Factories

TRANSPORTATION: Union LARGE RR system (85%) Confederacy few RR (15%)

Union: controlled entire US Navy Navy: Confederacy: merchant ships only

Finances 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Nation's $$ Union Confederacy

Military Leaders Union: Few with experience Confederacy: Superior

Presidents Union: Abraham Lincoln Confederacy: Jefferson Davis

Capital cities Union: Washington DC Confederacy: Richmond, Virginia

Uniforms & Flags Union: Uniform Blue Flag Stars & Stripes Confederacy: Uniform Gray Flag Stars & Bars

Nicknames Union: Yankees, blue-bellies, bellies, Federals Confederacy: Rebels

Military Leaders Union: Ulysses S. Grant Confederacy: Robert E. Lee

Secession People in the South didn t believe Lincoln would protect Southern rights. On December 20, 1860 South Carolina s constant threat to secede became a reality. By February 1861, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia had followed South Carolina in seceding. Northerners had mixed feelings about this.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Inaugural Address was given on March 4, 1861. In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. What did he mean by this statement?

Lincoln s address was filled with mixed toughness and words of peace. Stated that secession would not be permitted, vowing to 1. hold federal property in the South and 2. to enforce the laws of the United States. Lincoln pleaded with southerners for reconciliation

HE SAID, WE ARE NOT ENEMIES, BUT FRIENDS. WE MUST NOT BE ENEMIES. THOUGH PASSION MAY BE STRAINED, IT MUST NOT BREAK OUR BONDS OF AFFECTION.

Jefferson Davis Was a senator of Mississippi who was elected the President of the Confederate States of America. Inaugural address As a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation

Fort Sumter The South wanted to test Lincoln s vow to hold federal property.

Why Fort Sumter?? There were originally 15 forts in the South but 11 were abandoned by Union troops when the South seceded. It was one of four remaining Union-held forts in the Confederacy. Lincoln was determined to hold Fort Sumter, sending ships on their way to resupply the fort.

General How Pierre would this work out? Beauregard of the Confederate Army was ordered to evacuate Union troops from the fort. If the Union soldiers still there refused, he was told to force them to evacuate.

Who Would Control The Fort? The Union commander at the fort, Major Anderson, sent a letter to President Lincoln informing him that the supplies they had would only last for six weeks. If they didn t get supplies, they would have to surrender the fort. What do you think Lincoln did?

Meeting Time Lincoln consulted his cabinet members on what to do about the fort. The debate lasted for weeks on whether to send a ship to resupply the fort. Lincoln said, The Union must be preserved. If we evacuate the fort, then the Union is dead. What was Lincoln s concern regarding other states who had not yet seceded?

April 12, 1861 Jefferson Davis ordered Beauregard to attack the fort. Around 3 A.M., a warning message was sent. We have the honor to notify you that we will open the fire of our batteries on Fort Sumter in one hour from this time. Anderson woke the men in the fort and ordered them into the bombproof shelter.

At around 4:30 in the morning, 43 Confederate guns in a ring around the fort began the bombardment. Anderson inside the fort told his men to return fire slowly in order to save ammunition.

What About Relief? The relief ship arrived but it could not get through the bombardment of all the cannons.

Into the Next Day After 33 hours of constant bombardment, Anderson ordered his men to display the white flag of surrender. The Confederates were ordered to stop firing. When the Confederate leaders rowed to the fort, they allowed Anderson to lower the American flag with full military honors.

What Happened Next? SOUTH send a thrill of joy to the heart of every true friend of the South. The face of every Southerner was brighter then it had been before. NORTH Lincoln got the news on April 14. He considered the bombardment an act of war!! He issued a call for volunteers to crush the Confederate rebellion. Thousands volunteered.

TROOP NUMBERS NORTH Summer 1861: 187,000 By the end: 2.1 MILLION 200,000 African Americans SOUTH Summer 1861: 112,000 By the end: 850,000

WAR AT SEA First Union Strategy? Lincoln ordered a naval blockade of Southern Ports. Effectively, it should prevent the South from exporting cotton and importing supplies

WAS IT EFFECTIVE? The blockade caused problems Southern trade was reduced by more than 2/3s Goods like coffee, shoes, nails, salt, guns and ammunition were in short supply throughout the war.

Battle of Bull Run Sunday, July 21, 1861 First major battle of the Civil War. Fought in Manassas Junction, Virginia near Bull Run Stream. (about ½ way between Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia).

Battle of Bull Run NORTHENERS called it the Battle of Bull Run because they named battles after nearby bodies of water. SOUTHENERS called it the Battle of Manassas because they named battles after nearby towns or railroad junctions.

Which side would attack first? Lincoln was getting pressure from people in the North to gain control of the South. He ordered General Irwin McDowell to attack the Confederate troops near Manassas Junction, Virginia, on the other side of the Potomac River.

SPECTATORS ON THE BATTLE FIELD (are you kidding???) Expecting a quick victory, hundreds of NORTHENERS packed up picnic baskets, binoculars, and other supplies to spend the day in Virginia to watch the show. SOUTHENERS expected a quick battle as well. The troops traveled with suits, fine linens, silverware, and with their servants from home because they wanted to live a comfortable life on the battlefields.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE 30,000 Union troops attacked 20,000 Confederate troops on Sunday July 21, 1861. The Union drove back the Confederate forces largely due to the fact the Union had more troops.

NEW ARRIVALS Confederate General Thomas Jackson arrived with about 10,000 reinforcement troops "Look, men, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall!" Confederates charged!!! (He will go down in history as Stonewall Jackson)

CHAOS!!!! Panicked Union troops ran away from the newly reinforced Confederate Army. The retreating troops running toward the spectators caused a major traffic jam. Troops and spectators all tried to run the same direction at the same time. Many dropped their weapons and ran to the safety of Washington D.C. Almost 100 spectators will be trampled to death!

RESULT? The first major battle of the Civil War was won by the SOUTH. Both sides realized this would be a long, difficult, and costly war not quick and easy!

Wars in the West Another strategy was to take control of the Mississippi River. Ulysses S. Grant was the commander in the West. The Confederate commander at New Orleans knew he was trapped, he asked Grant for his surrender terms.

Grant Gets A New Name Reply: No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. Unconditional Surrender Grant becomes Northern hero. ( U.S. Grant get it?)

Battle of Shiloh

Battle of Shiloh Two day battle with heavy casualties. Union troops got a surprise attack from the Confederates. The first day, the Confederates drove the Union back. The next day, the Union troops recovered and defeated the Confederates. Over 20,000 causalities were at this battle.

WAR IN THE EAST March 1862, McClellan (very cautious man) set the goal to take Richmond. Instead of moving by land, he moved by ship and landed southeast of the city. McClellan moved too slow which allowed opportunities to slip by many times. Robert E. Lee was in command of the Confederate troops; opposite McClellan.

McClellan began a major offensive known as the Peninsular Campaign.

Seven Days Battle Clever tactics by Lee caused the Union troops to fail at capturing Richmond; the Confederate capital.

GLOOM OF THE NORTH Despite victories in the West, failure to take the capital left the North with little hope. Another call for volunteers, now asking for 300,000 men Response was slow this time around

Second Battle of Bull Run Major General John Pope, a Union troop leader in northern Virginia attacked approaching Confederate troops lead by Stonewall Jackson on August 29,1862. This started the Second Battle of Bull Run. Confederates WIN this battle Lee and his men were only 20 miles from Washington D.C.

Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) Davis ordered Lee to launch an offensive into Maryland. He hoped another victory would win aid from Britain and France.

PLANS ARE FOUND McClellan and his 80,000 troops move slowly as usual. Two union soldiers find a piece of paper with Lee s orders for his army wrapped around three cigars. Lee was moving his army into 4 parts. McClellan takes 4 days to attack. This allows Lee to gather most his force together.

BATTLE The two armies clashed on September 17 in the Battle of Antietam. IT WAS THE SINGLE BLOODIEST DAY OF THE ENTIRE WAR. By the end of the battle, 6,000 troops were dead, and 17,000 were seriously wounded The next day, Lee pulled back to Virginia which allowed for the Union to claim victory.

REPLACEMENT Lincoln was disgusted by McClellan s failures, so he was removed and replaced with Ambrose Burnside.

CONFIDENCE Antietam had a profound impact on the war. The Army of the Potomac had a newly found sense of confidence. THE BATTLE MARKED A MAJOR CHANGE IN NORTHERN WAR AIMS. President Lincoln used the battle TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST SLAVERY.

The Emancipation Proclamation

Focus of the War The original focus of the war was the maintain the Union; NOT SLAVERY. Lincoln insisted on many occasions that they would only act to prevent the expansion of slavery. Abolitionist wanted Lincoln to free slaves in the border states when the war started.

What was Lincoln s View? He considered it immoral but hesitated to make a move against slavery because of the border states. He believed that making an issue of slavery would divide the people even more. He made a statement in response to the pressure to end slavery.

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. August 1862

Attitudes Change Many Northerners believed that the slaves in the South were helping the Southern war effort. Enslaved people were raising crops that feed the troops. ALSO Many slaves were escaping and going to Union troops for help. Many wanted to become soldiers.

European Help Britain and France were considering helping the South. They bought a great amount of Southern cotton. Because of the blockade on Southern ports, Britain began building ships for the Confederate navy. France allowed Confederate ships to raid U.S. merchant ships docked in French ports.

Views of Slavery Lincoln knew that the citizens of Britain and France were against slavery; they outlawed it about 200 years ago. What if he could convince the British and French that the war really was about ending slavery in the United States NOT just about keeping the country united?

The Pondering Question How could he free the slaves in the South without angering the border states AND keep England and France out of the war?

Constitutional Powers The Constitution gives the US president some special powers to use only during war. He decided to use these powers to free Confederate slaves ONLY! This wouldn t anger borders states. This would also help keep the South from using slaves to help them win the war. He could thus tell England and France he was battling slavery in the United States. This would keep them from helping the Confederacy.

Cabinet Meeting On July 22, 1862, Lincoln consulted his cabinet members about his plans. His secretary of state suggested he wait to announce his idea after a major Union win. This way people wouldn t think this was a plan only because he afraid he would lose to war. Lincoln agreed and waited.

Battle of Antietam

September 22, 1862 He announced his plan to issue an order freeing all enslaved people in the Confederacy. He didn t sign the Emancipation Proclamation that day. He said he would give the Confederacy until January 1, 1863. On that day (Jan 1) any slave in a Confederate state would be free.

January 1, 1863 all persons held as slaves within any state in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.

Slave owners tried to keep their slaves from learning about the Emancipation Proclamation. Still, the word began to spread. Slaves made plans to escape to the North where they would finally be free.

What Did the South Do? Very few people in South freed their slaves. Most waited until Union troops marched in and forced them to release their slaves. Many were not going to free their slaves just because the President of the United States said so. He wasn t their president anymore

European Help? Since Lincoln stated that the war was now about ending slavery, Britain and France stopped aiding the Confederacy.

Dissecting the Proclamation It is a short document; only about three pages long. Emancipation the act of making someone free Proclamation a formal public announcement

Part One Lincoln reminds the Confederates that he warned them three months earlier to rejoin the Union by January 1, 1863. In other words, the proclamation freed any slaves living in a state that still chose to rebel against the United States.

Part Two Lincoln says which states must free their slaves those in rebellion against the U.S. If the slaves were in areas under CONFEDERATE control, they ended up remaining as slaves until the Union took over that area. Once the Union controlled the area, then they were free.

Part Three This explained how the US government would treat freed slaves. It said: the Union military would protect them. Freed African Americans wouldn t be slaves again. Former slaves could join the Union army or navy.

Was Anybody Happy? Border states were upset because they thought they would be next to be forced to free their slaves. Northerners didn t think it was good enough, they wanted ALL slaves freed. Southerners didn t believe they should have to listen to Lincoln Slaves were happy, they could run away to a safe place for the first time in a while.

African Americans in the Military 200,000 joined the Union military About half were runaway slaves 40,000 were from border states 10% of the Army was African American 18% of the Navy was African American About 37,000 died helping the North.

Opinions If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act. 1863 The Emancipation Proclamation is the greatest event of our nation s history. 1864

Battle of Vicksburg

Where is Vicksburg? Vicksburg is a town on the east bank of the Mississippi River between Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana. To gain control of the river, one of the North s major war goals, the Union needed to seize Vicksburg.

Who Controlled Vicksburg? The Confederate military greatly fortified Vicksburg and set up heavy cannons that at could fire on any vessel passing through town. After the Union navy conquered New Orleans to its south, Vicksburg was the only point that kept the river closed to Union commerce and traffic.

Was it Still Beneficial to the South? Vicksburg was also the last place where Confederate territory west of the Mississippi could pass troops and goods east to the rest of the South.

The Union Makes Their Move In May 1863, Grant maneuvered an army behind the town. After some small battles, he drove Vicksburg s defenders inside the town s trenches and fortifications. The Union navy began shelling the defense forces from the river.

SURROUNDED The town was surrounded from the outside world by Grant s forces for more than 40 days. With the town surrounded, no food or ammunition entered the town. People resorted to eating mules and rodents. The citizens lived in bomb shelters on the hillside.

Surrender? After about a month of living in bomb shelters, having no food, enduring repeated attacks from Northern forces, Confederate General Pemberton surrendered. On July 4, 1863

What Did This Surrender Mean? Last major stronghold on Mississippi River fell into Union hands.

Control With New Orleans and Vicksburg on the Mississippi River were now under Union control, they now held the ENTIRE Mississippi River. Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana were now cut off from the rest of the Confederacy. This secured the Mississippi as a Union highway.

What About Grant? His success in the West boosted his reputation, leading eventually to his appointment as General-In-Chief of the Union Armies.

Causalities NORTH 10,000 SOUTH 9,000

Gettysburg THE BLOODIEST BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR; IT WILL LAST FOR THREE DAYS

Where is Gettysburg?

Lee Moves North Lee decided to invade the North. Another victory one on Northern soil might persuade Britain and France to aid the Confederacy. In June, Lee began moving north with an army of 75,000 troops. A union spy heard that Lee was crossing the Potomac River but didn t know where.

Another Union General Lincoln told Hooker to attack Lee s troops. Hooker wanted to move toward Richmond. When Hooker failed to listen to Lincoln, he was replaced by George Meade.

Meade s Mission To find Lee s forces and to protect Washington and Baltimore from Confederate attacks.

Where was Lee Going? Lee wanted to move toward Harrisburg or Philadelphia. The Confederate troops made camp in a small town called Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lee laid extremely low, not even lighting camp fires at night.

Why Did the Armies Meet? Despite strict orders to remain at the campsite, about 20 Confederates went into town one evening to steal shoes. Why did they need to steal shoes? A scouting Union looking for the Confederates spotted the men and engaged in a small battle. The Confederates retreat back to Lee. The Union scouts send word that Lee has been spotted.

BASICALLY On July 1, 1863, the two armies meet accidentally in Gettysburg because of the men being spotted in the town. Union reinforcements were continually coming to Gettysburg.

Day Three The day is bright and sunny on this third day of battle. Confederate General George Pickett will always be remembered for PICKETT S CHARGE. Roughly 14,000 Confederates advanced across the 1.5 mile field from Seminary Ridge toward the Union s Cemetery Ridge.

Were They Successful? Pickett s Charge was repulsed by Union rifle and artillery fire. Out of the 14,000 Confederates that were part of Pickett s Charge, only HALF made it back to the shelter of Confederate lines.

What Happened to the Wounded? During the night, the Confederates went onto the field to collect their wounded. Even Union medics offered to help. They supplied medicine and first-aid. The Confederates loss was extremely HIGH.

Lee Retreats During the night and early morning of July 4, 1863, Lee begins retreating. The wagons carrying all the wounded was SEVENTEEN miles long. Union General Meade did NOT pursue Lee. He allowed him to go back to Virginia.

Was This the End of the Civil War? No the war would last two more years.

WRITE THIS ON YOUR PACKET!!! GETTYSBURG IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT WAS THE TURNING POINT OF THE CIVIL WAR

Gateway of the Cemetery in Gettysburg, 1863

Final Phases of the War

Union Victories Following the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, a win in Tennessee further weakened the Confederates. General Grant and General Sherman helped take the Union victory in Tennessee.

Commander Grant In March 1864, Grant is named commander of all the Union armies. Lincoln said, I can t spare this man. He fights!

Grant s Plans The Army of the Potomac would try to crush Lee s army in Virginia. The western army, under General William Sherman would advance to Atlanta, Georgia to crush the Confederates in the Deep South. Should the plan succeed, the Confederacy would be destroyed.

General William Sherman

Did the Plan Work? By May and June 1864, Grant s Army of 115,000 smashed into Lee s 64,000 troops in a series of three battles near the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia Battle of the Wilderness Spotsylvania Courthouse Cold Harbor

People s Impression of Grant Grant was not a popular man by any means. People called him a butcher because of his high casualty counts. I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer.

What about Richmond? After Cold Harbor, Grant went foward to Petersburg which is south of Richmond. It was an important railroad center. If Grant could take Richmond, it would cut the capital off from the rest of Confederacy. This assault will turn into a 9 month siege.

Election of 1864 Lincoln feared he wouldn t be re-elected because of the war. HOWEVER The Union controlled the Gulf of Mexico. General Sherman captured Atlanta. Another General drove Rebels out of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Lincoln WINS re-election with 55% percent of the popular vote.

March to the Sea Sherman had captured Atlanta and was now moving toward Savannah.

His army of 65,000 cut a broad swath as it lumbered towards its destination. Plantations were burned, crops destroyed and stores of food pillaged. In the wake of his progress to the sea he left numerous "Sherman sentinels" (the chimneys of burnt out houses) and "Sherman neckties" (railroad rails that had been heated and wrapped around trees.) Destruction

Sherman s troops took what food they needed, tore up railroad lines, and killed animals in an effort to destroy EVERYTHING and ANYTHING useful to the South. The destruction path they would make sometimes would be 50 miles WIDE.

Sherman Said We are not only fighting hostile armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war.

Did He Stay in Savannah? After he captured Savannah in December, he turned north marching through South Carolina leaving a trail of destruction. He planned on joining Grant near Richmond.

Lincoln s Second Address With malice toward none, with charity for all let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation s wounds to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Petersburg Through the fall and winter, Grant continued his attack on Petersburg. Lee s troops couldn t take anymore so on April 2, 1865, Lee removed his troops. Richmond fell later that day. Many residents fled before the Union troops came.

Lincoln Visits Richmond Lincoln visited Richmond on April 4, 1865 and walked the streets. He was approached by an elderly African American man. He removed his hat, bowed, and with tears in his eyes said, May God bless you. Lincoln removed his hat and bowed in return.

Lee Realizes He is Defeated Lee tried to escape to the west but a Union blockage stops him. He realizes now that he has no other choice.

There is nothing left for me to do but go and see General Grant, and I would rather die a thousands deaths.

April 9, 1865 Lee and his troops surrender to Grant in a small town called Appomattox Court House.

Where Did They Surrender?

Terms of Surrender Grant allowed them to keep their horses so that they could as he says, put in a crop to carry themselves and their families through the next winter. Grant also ordered three days worth of food be sent to Lee s hungry troops. Confederate had to surrender all arms and ammunition; except side arms.

Lee s Men Boys, I have done the best I could for you. Go home now, and if you make as good citizens as you have soldiers, you will do well, and I shall always be proud of you. On April 12, 1865, Lee s 28,231 remaining Confederates marched into Appomattox Court House between two long rows of Union troops. At Surrender Triangle the men piled their muskets and furled their battle flags in a formal surrender ceremony.

Defeat Confederate troops in North Carolina surrendered to Sherman days after Lee s formal surrender. Jefferson Davis was captured on May 10 in Georgia.

The Effects of the Civil War 620,000+ total casualties Billions of dollars spent Bitter feelings will remain in the South for generations to come. The Union was saved and was clearly more powerful than the states. Millions of African Americans were freed. How the nation would treat them remained to be seen.

McLean s House Wilmer McLean is supposed to have said "The war began in my dining room and ended in my parlor". Why would he say this?

The War Found Him! His first home and property were destroyed in the Battle of Bull Run. It was all destroyed again during the Second Battle of Bull Run. He moved his family about 150 miles away from Manassas to Appomattox Court House to get some peace.

Lincoln s Final Days

What He Did Before He Died Lincoln offered the first plan for accepting the Southern states back into the Union in 1863. He announced his Ten Percent Plan. 10% swear loyalty Ban slavery Offered amnesty (to pardon) to all white Southerners who were not Confederate officials.

What about African Americans? Lincoln supported granting the right to vote to African Americans who were educated or had served in the Union army. He would not force Southern states to give rights held by white Americans to African Americans.

Wade-Davis Bill Radical Republicans thought Lincoln s plan was too mild. They proposed the Wade Davis Bill. 50% swear loyalty Ban slavery No Confederate officer could hold office

The Freedman s Bureau This played an important role in helping African Americans make the transition to freedom. Distributed food, clothing, and medical services. Established schools staffed by Northern teachers. Gave aid to institutions that specialized in higher learning. Helped them to acquire land and free transportation to areas in need of workers. Helped obtain fair wages.

5 Days Later Assassination of President Lincoln

April 14, 1865 Lincoln and his wife were attending a play at Ford s Theatre in Washington D.C. This was 5 days after Lee surrendered to Grant. Four years to the day of the shots at Fort Sumter.

Ford s Theatre

Today

Enter the Killer While the Lincolns were watching the play, an actor and Southern sympathizer entered the box where Lincoln was sitting without anyone noticing him. JOHN WILKES BOOTH shoots Lincoln in the back of the head and flees from the theater during the chaos. A wanted poster was released looking for Booth and some of his fellow conspirators.

The Room Where Lincoln Died

Lincoln s Death Bed

JOHN WILKES BOOTH

Convicted Booth was involved in a plot where the small group had planned to kill high ranking United States officials. Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and the President He was found a week later in Virginia and shot by troops. Eight people were convicted.

Mary E. Surratt, Lewis T. Powell, David E. Herold, George A. Atzerodt)

The Country Mourns the Death of a Beloved President

Lincoln s Train Ride Home

Vice President becomes President Andrew Johnson became president after Lincoln assassination. He resented the slaveholders who had dominated the South and wanted to punish them. Johnson believed in giving the states control over many decisions. He had no desire to help African Americans what so ever! White men alone must manage the South.

Andrew Johnson

RECONSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS THIRTEENTH FOURTEENTH FIFTEENTH

January 1866 Before a state could reenter the Union, its constitutional convention had to denounce secession and abolish slavery. States must also ratify the Thirteenth Amendment. This was ratified by December 1865.

Thirteenth Amendment January 1866 Slavery is abolished in ALL parts of the United States of America.

June 1866 Congress wanted to ensure that African Americans would not lose the rights that the Civil Rights Act of 1866 had granted. This act granted full citizenship to African Americans and gave the federal government the power to intervene in states affairs to protect these rights. Fearing it would challenged in the Courts, Congress created the 14th Amendment.

Fourteenth Amendment Granted full citizenship to all individuals born in the United States. No state can take away citizen s life, liberty, and property without due process of the law. Every citizen was entitled to equal protection of the laws.

February 1869 Ulysses S. Grant is elected President in 1869. Congress passed the Fifteenth Amendment in February 1869. It was ratified and became law in the beginning of 1870. Republicans believed that by allowing male African Americans to vote, it would allow them to protect themselves. Republicans were too optimistic.

Fifteenth Amendment It prohibited the state and federal government from denying the right to vote to any MALE citizen because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.