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March 2, 1867: Military Reconstruction Acts Passed

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March 2, 1867: Military Reconstruction Acts Passed

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The first Military Reconstruction Act was passed by Congress when they overrode President Andrew Johnson's veto on March 2, 1867. This pivotal legislation divided the former Confederate states into five military districts and outlined the requirements for readmission to the Union, including drafting new state constitutions, guaranteeing Black male suffrage, and ratifying the 14th Amendment. The act marked a shift to a more radical phase of Reconstruction led by the Republican Congress rather than the presidency. Three supplemental Reconstruction Acts were later passed to clarify and strengthen the original legislation.

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Richmond, Virginia - First Military District Headquarters

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March 2, 1867: First Military District Established

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March 2, 1867: First Military District Established

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The First Military District included Virginia, which was placed under military occupation following the Civil War. Major General John Schofield served as the first military commander. Virginia was the last former Confederate state to be readmitted to the Union on January 26, 1870, after adopting a new state constitution and ratifying the 14th and 15th Amendments. During military rule, federal troops helped protect freed people's rights and oversaw the establishment of new political systems that included African American participation.

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Columbia, South Carolina - Second Military District Headquarters

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March 2, 1867: Second Military District Created

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March 2, 1867: Second Military District Created

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The Second Military District consisted of North Carolina and South Carolina under the command of Major General Daniel Sickles, later replaced by General E.R.S. Canby. The military authorities in this district helped register new voters, including newly freed Black men, and oversaw the election of delegates to state constitutional conventions. Both states were required to draft new constitutions and ratify the 14th Amendment before readmission to the Union. South Carolina was readmitted on June 25, 1868, and North Carolina on July 4, 1868.

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Atlanta, Georgia - Third Military District Headquarters

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March 2, 1867: Third Military District Formed

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March 2, 1867: Third Military District Formed

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The Third Military District encompassed Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, initially commanded by General John Pope and later by General George G. Meade. During this period, the military oversaw the registration of voters for new constitutional conventions, including many Black citizens voting for the first time. Georgia's readmission was complicated - it was initially readmitted in 1868, but then returned to military rule when the state legislature expelled its Black members. Georgia was finally readmitted on July 15, 1870. Alabama was readmitted on July 14, 1868, and Florida on June 25, 1868.

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Vicksburg, Mississippi - Fourth Military District Headquarters

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March 2, 1867: Fourth Military District Established

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March 2, 1867: Fourth Military District Established

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The Fourth Military District included Arkansas and Mississippi under the command of General Edward Ord, later replaced by General Alvan C. Gillem. The district headquarters were in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Arkansas was readmitted to the Union relatively quickly on June 22, 1868, after drafting a new constitution and ratifying the 14th Amendment. Mississippi faced a longer period of reconstruction and was not readmitted until February 23, 1870. The military presence helped protect freedmen's rights and enforce new laws regarding racial equality during this transitional period.

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New Orleans, Louisiana - Fifth Military District Headquarters

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March 2, 1867: Fifth Military District Created

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March 2, 1867: Fifth Military District Created

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The Fifth Military District, comprised of Louisiana and Texas, was initially commanded by General Philip Sheridan, known for his aggressive enforcement of Reconstruction policies. After removing several Democratic officials he deemed obstacles to Reconstruction, Sheridan was replaced by General Winfield Scott Hancock, who took a more conservative approach. Louisiana was readmitted on June 25, 1868, while Texas was the second-to-last state readmitted on March 30, 1870. The district saw significant racial violence, including the New Orleans Riot of 1866, which influenced the creation of the military districts.

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Tennessee was unique among former Confederate states during Reconstruction, as it was exempted from military rule. The state moved quickly to ratify the 14th Amendment and was readmitted to the Union on July 24, 1866, before the Military Reconstruction Acts were passed. Tennessee's rapid compliance with Congressional requirements allowed it to avoid the military occupation that other Southern states experienced. Nashville served as both the state capital and a center for coordinating federal Reconstruction efforts in the region without formal military district designation.

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The disputed presidential election of 1876 between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden led to the Compromise of 1877, which effectively ended Reconstruction. In exchange for Democrats accepting Hayes as president, Republicans agreed to withdraw the last federal troops from the South, ending military occupation. This compromise took place at Wormley's Hotel in Washington D.C. and marked the abandonment of federal efforts to protect the civil rights of African Americans in the South. Without military enforcement, many of the gains made during Reconstruction were reversed as Southern states enacted Jim Crow laws and voting restrictions.

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American Civil War. The Military Reconstruction Acts of 1867 divided the former Confederate states (except Tennessee) into 