* Freed slaves gained basic civil rights. The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in December 1865, abolished slavery. The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in July 1868, guaranteed all citizens equal protection under the law. The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in February 1870, gave all citizens the right to vote regardless of race.
* Freed slaves established schools and churches. Many freed slaves were illiterate, and they were eager to learn how to read and write. They established schools and churches in their communities, and they often paid for their own education and the education of their children.
* Freed slaves started businesses. Some freed slaves started their own businesses, such as farms, stores, and restaurants. Others worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers on white-owned land.
* Freed slaves faced discrimination and violence. Despite the civil rights they gained, freed slaves faced discrimination and violence from whites. They were often segregated from whites in schools, churches, and public places. They were also subjected to lynching and other forms of violence.
After Reconstruction
* Reconstruction ended in 1877. The end of Reconstruction marked the beginning of a period of segregation and discrimination for freed slaves. The Jim Crow laws, which were passed in many Southern states, legalized segregation and made it difficult for freed slaves to exercise their civil rights.
* Freed slaves continued to face discrimination and violence. Freed slaves continued to face discrimination and violence during the Jim Crow era. They were often denied access to education, jobs, and other opportunities. They were also subjected to lynching and other forms of violence.
* Freed slaves made progress despite the challenges they faced. Despite the challenges they faced, freed slaves made progress during the Jim Crow era. They established schools and churches, and they started businesses. They also worked for civil rights reform, and they eventually won the right to vote and other civil rights.
The history of freed slaves during and after Reconstruction is a story of struggle, resilience, and progress. Freed slaves faced many challenges, but they also achieved many successes. They helped to build a more just and equal society for all Americans.