Reconstruction Loopholes

Definition

These were legal or political strategies used by Southern states during the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) to circumvent federal laws and policies designed to ensure equal rights for African Americans.

Analogy

Think of it like a video game where you're supposed to follow certain rules, but some players find hidden cheats or shortcuts that allow them to bypass those rules. The Southern states found these "cheats" in the system to avoid giving full rights to African Americans.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws: These were state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Black Codes: These were laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War with the intent and effect of restricting African Americans' freedom, compelling them to work in a labor economy based on low wages or debt.

Disenfranchisement: This is the revocation of the right of suffrage (the right to vote) of a person or group of people, often used as a strategy for marginalizing specific groups from political participation.