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former Confederates. Contrary to the will of Republican

leadership, he placed former Confederate leaders into
powerful positions of authority. This soon led to
governments that were controlled by Democrats who

were formerly prominent Confederates.

At the same time, he opposed virtually every effort by
Republicans to establish the rights and dignity of former

slaves. Despite Johnson’s opposition, the veto-proof
power of Republicans, coupled with their loyalty to the
legacy of Lincoln’s Presidency, enabled them to pass

landmark Amendments to the US Constitution:

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th
The 14 Amendment passed June 1866, ratified by
States July 9, 1868 – granted citizenship to all persons

born or naturalized in the United States—including
former slaves—and guaranteed all citizens “equal
protection of the laws.” Republicans required southern

states to ratify this Amendment as a mandatory
condition for reinstatement into the Union.

th
15 Amendment passed February 26, 1869 ratified
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February 3, 1870 – granted that the right to vote
cannot be denied based on “race, color, or previous
condition of servitude.”

During this brief period, from 1866 through the mid to

late 1870’s, the Republican Party built a coalition with

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