Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 1 ‘Free at last’,…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 1 ‘Free at last’, 1865–77: Radical Reconstruction, 1867–77: the impact of military rule in the south; the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments; the Civil Rights Act 1875; significance of the presence of black representatives in federal and state legislatures.
Radical Reconstruction (1867–77) followed conflict between Congress and President Johnson over the South's reconstruction.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Radical Reconstruction (1867–77) followed conflict between Congress and President Johnson over the South's reconstruction. Military rule divided the former Confederacy into districts under federal troops, protecting black voters and enabling Republican state governments. The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted citizenship and equal protection, while the Fifteenth (1870) barred denial of the vote on grounds of race. The Civil Rights Act 1875 sought equal treatment in public places, though its impact was limited before later judicial narrowing. Black representatives entered federal and state legislatures, symbolising political participation and shaping laws on education and civil rights. Together these measures advanced black political and civil rights, but military rule was resented in the South, and withdrawal after 1877 allowed many gains to be eroded.
What earns the marks
- Explains the impact of military rule: federal districts, troop presence and protection of black voters and Republican governments in the South.
- Analyses the Fourteenth Amendment's significance in defining citizenship and equal protection, and the Fifteenth Amendment's significance in prohibiting racial exclusion from voting.
- Assesses the Civil Rights Act 1875 as an attempt to guarantee equal treatment in public places, noting its limited practical impact.
- Evaluates the significance of black representatives in federal and state legislatures, including symbolic importance and legislative influence.
- Judges the overall extent of Radical Reconstruction's impact, balancing constitutional and political advances against southern resistance and later retreat.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
Put it right by separating citizenship and equal protection from voting rights.
Assuming the Civil Rights Act 1875 was fully enforced.
Put it right by noting its limited impact and later judicial restriction.
Treating black political representation as uniform or powerless.
Put it right by recognising varied roles and achievements in federal and state legislatures.
Exam tips
- Organise answers around the named aspects: military rule, amendments, the 1875 Act and black representation.
- Use specific examples of black officeholders and state-level legislation to support claims about significance.
- Conclude by weighing advances in rights against the limits and reversals that followed Radical Reconstruction.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 39.1: Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1850–2009 - 1 ‘Free at last’, 1865–77: Radical Reconstruction, 1867–77: the impact of military rule in the south; the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments; the Civil Rights Act 1875; significance of the presence of black representatives in federal and state legislatures. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship and equal protection of the laws to formerly enslaved people?
Listen
Radical Reconstruction (1867–77) followed conflict between Congress and President Johnson over the South's reconstruction. Military rule divided the former Confederacy into districts under federal troops, protecting black voters and enabling Republican state governments. The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted citizenship and equal protection, while the Fifteenth (1870) barred denial of the vote on grounds of race. The Civil Rights Act 1875 sought equal treatment in public places, though its impact was limited before later judicial narrowing. Black representatives entered federal and state legislatures, symbolising political participation and shaping laws on education and civil rights. Together these measures advanced black political and civil rights, but military rule was resented in the South, and withdrawal after 1877 allowed many gains to be eroded. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the impact of military rule: federal districts, troop presence and protection of black voters and Republican governments in the South. Analyses the Fourteenth Amendment's significance in defining citizenship and equal protection, and the Fifteenth Amendment's significance in prohibiting racial exclusion from voting. Assesses the Civil Rights Act 1875 as an attempt to guarantee equal treatment in public places, noting its limited practical impact. Evaluates the significance of black representatives in federal and state legislatures, including symbolic importance and legislative influence. A common slip: Confusing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Instead, separating citizenship and equal protection from voting rights. Exam tip: Organise answers around the named aspects: military rule, amendments, the 1875 Act and black representation.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Amendment granting citizenship and equal protection
- 2. Act seeking equal treatment in public places
- 3. Amendment barring denial of the vote on grounds of race
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Federal intervention and military rule
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Constitutional change and citizenship
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Civil rights legislation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Black political representation and its limits
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Federal intervention and military rule
- Military rule divided the former Confederacy into districts under federal troops, protecting black voters and enabling Republican state governments.
- Constitutional change and citizenship
- The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship and equal protection, while the Fifteenth barred denial of the vote on grounds of race.
- Civil rights legislation
- The Civil Rights Act 1875 sought equal treatment in public places, though its impact was limited before later judicial narrowing.
- Black political representation and its limits
- Black representatives entered federal and state legislatures, symbolising political participation and shaping laws on education and civil rights.
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