apr 1, 1866 - Civil RIghts Act of 1866 passes

Description:

-defined citizenship rights of freedmen
-Authorized federal authorities to bring suit against those who violated those rights

Legislation passed by Congress that nullified the Black Codes and affirmed that African Americans should have equal benefit of the law.

-declared formerly enslaved ppl citizens, gave them equal protection/rights of contract (full access to the courts)


-initially vetoed by Johnson (racist, but up until this point it had been publicly muted), but his vetoe was overidden

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