apr 9, 1866 - Civil Rights Act of 1866 enacted

Description:

For the first time, it legislated a national definition of citizenship. Previously,
citizenship was defined by individual states.

• It declared all persons born in the United States to be national citizens (except
American Indians, because tribes were considered “sovereign dependent nations”
with their own governments).

• It declared all citizens equal before the law. Historian Eric Foner writes: “No longer
could states enact laws such as the Black Codes declaring certain actions crimes for
black persons but not white.”

• It declared for all citizens the rights of free labor, including the rights to make
contracts, bring lawsuits, and have protection of their persons and property

Johnson and Radical Republicans clashed over this bill. Johnson originally vetoed it, and Congress overrode his veto to finally pass it into law.

Documents: #023

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