1.04 Lesson Notes

US History Lesson 1.04 Notes

Reconstruction: to rebuild, referring to the period 1865–1877 in the United States when former Confederate states were under control of the federal government

Confederate: a person who supported the Southern confederacy

Freedmen: a former slave who has been released from slavery, usually by legal means. Historically, slaves became freedmen either by manumission (granted freedom by their owner) or emancipation (granted freedom as part of a larger group).

Congress: official name for the legislative branch of the U.S. government that includes the Senate and the House of Representatives

Radical Republican: a member of Congress during the Civil War and Reconstruction who wanted to permanently end slavery and guarantee equal rights for African Americans

U.S. Constitution: plan detailing the structure, functions, and powers of the government of the United States, also known as the Constitution

Seceded: formal withdrawal of membership from an organization, state, or alliance

Confederacy: the association of Southern U.S. states that split away from and fought against the Union in the Civil War

Veto: the power of the U.S. president to reject a law passed by Congress

Pocket Veto: refusal of a president to sign a bill within 10 days of its passage and the adjournment of Congress causes the bill to be rejected

Amnesty: a pardon granted by the government, usually for political offenses

13th Amendment: formal change to the U.S. Constitution adopted in 1865 that outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime

Repudiate: to deny or reject

Black Codes: laws instituted by Southern legislatures beginning in 1865 to prevent African Americans from exercising their civil rights

Override: action by Congress to offset a veto by the president with a two-thirds vote

Cabinet: heads of government departments who advise the president

Tenure of Office Act: a federal law (in force from...