Reconstruction military districts facts for kids
After the American Civil War ended, the United States created five special areas called Reconstruction Military Districts. These were like temporary military zones set up by the U.S. Army in the Southern states. Their main job was to help rebuild the South and make sure new laws were followed during a time known as Reconstruction. These districts were created by important laws called the Reconstruction Acts.
Why the Districts Were Created
In March 1867, many members of Congress were unhappy with how President Andrew Johnson was handling the rebuilding of the South. These members, known as "Radical Republicans," believed that too many former leaders of the Confederacy were still in power. They worried these leaders would stop newly freed African Americans from having their full rights.
For the Republicans, it was very important that African Americans gained true freedom and equal rights. This was a key goal after the war, building on the ideas of abolition, which aimed to end slavery.
The Reconstruction Acts
To fix these problems, Congress passed a series of strong laws called the Reconstruction Acts. The most important of these was passed on March 2, 1867. This law divided the former Confederate States into five military districts. The only former Confederate state not included was Tennessee, because it had already agreed to the 14th Amendment.
These laws required each former Confederate state to:
- Hold a special meeting to write a new state constitution.
- Adopt this new state constitution.
- Ratify (officially approve) the 14th Amendment.
Only after completing these steps could a state fully rejoin the United States.
The Five Military Districts
The five districts and the states they included were:
- First Military District (Virginia)
- Second Military District (North Carolina, South Carolina)
- Third Military District (Georgia, Alabama and Florida)
- Fourth Military District (Arkansas and Mississippi)
- Fifth Military District (Texas and Louisiana)
Each district was put under the command of a former general from the Union Army. These generals had important jobs. They had to make sure that former Confederate officials who were causing problems were removed from office. They also used military power to protect the safety of newly freed African Americans and keep the peace in the South. At first, these army commanders mostly acted as peacekeepers until the President could create a clearer plan for Reconstruction.
