Problem
When southerners refused to obey the Military Reconstruction Act, Congress enacted even more detailed and more hated legislation. The text of the Second Reconstruction Act provides a clear picture of just how serious the Radical Republicans were about moving the country in a different direction. Sadly, they were unable, or unwilling, to follow through and make sure that southerners actually followed the new laws.
Read the article Second Reconstruction Act and then answer the questions:
1. List the conditions that had to be met before a new state constitution could be ratified. Why do you think these were spelled out so clearly?
2. Analyze the oath that all potential voters in the southern states had to sign. Do you consider the terms reasonable or excessive? Why?