American Revolution (DBQ) Essay

In the time period of 1860 and 1877, constitutional and social developments occurred in America that amounted to a revolution. Some constitutional developments were the Secession of 1860, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Amendments 14 and 15. Some social developments were the Freedmen’s Bureau, the Civil Rights Act of 1875, and Congressional Reconstruction. Put together, all these developments led to a revolution. Prior to 1860 the United States was already split into opposing sides fighting for power. Although these conflicts never reached the battlefield, the slave’s states and Free states were always competing for representation in congress. South Carolina felt that certain powers were restrained from them and it imperiled their continued existence as sovereign states (DOC A). So, as the leader, they declared secession with several states following shortly after. They were then called the Confederate states of America. This was so revolutionary because the Union destroyed everything in the South and it led to the strengthening of Federal Power over the states. The Emancipation Proclamation was intended to be the cure of slavery once and for all. In the early years of the Proclamation it could only be extended to Union controlled areas. It allowed blacks freedom of movement and religion. Shortly after, Amendments 14 and 15 were created that gave the freed men more rights. Amendment 14 gave freedmen citizenship and equal protection under the law. Amendment 15 gave them the right to vote and resulted in black legislators in the state and federal government.