Enforcement Acts

Definition

The Enforcement Acts were three bills passed by Congress between May 1870 and April 1871 designed to protect African-Americans' right to vote, hold office, serve on juries, and receive equal protection under law during Reconstruction.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a game where some players are cheating or not following rules properly. The Enforcement Acts are like new rules introduced by game moderators specifically designed to ensure everyone gets a fair chance at winning.

Related terms

Ku Klux Klan: A white supremacist group that emerged during Reconstruction and used violence and intimidation to suppress African American political activity.

Civil Rights Act of 1875: The last federal civil rights legislation until the mid-20th century, it prohibited racial discrimination in public accommodations and jury selection.

Fourteenth Amendment: An amendment to the US Constitution ratified in 1868 granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including former slaves—and guaranteeing all citizens "equal protection of the laws."