Causes of the Revolution Dbq

Amounting to a Revolution

The United States experienced a time period full of changes between the years of 1860 to 1877. During this time period, many constitutional and social developments brought about great change in the country, in both constitutional and social areas. Some constitutional developments that caused conflict include the Emancipation Proclamation, three civil rights bills, and the reconstruction. Meanwhile, some social developments during this period include the Freedmen's Bureau, the Black Codes, and the Ku Klux Klan. Changes that occurred during this time period are staggering, to say the least. These developments from 1860 to 1877 can be considered to have been a revolution.

The South Carolina Declaration of Causes of Secession is considered to be one of the constitutional developments that caused a revolution (Doc A). South Carolina became the first Confederate State to secede from the Union, setting an example for other states to follow. This secession angered the United States because they still considered South Carolina as their land, and felt it was unconstitutional for South Carolina to break away from the Union. The Senator of Ohio, John Sherman stated, “It has been that principle of state rights, that bad sentiment that has elevated state authority above national authority, that has been the main instrument by which our government is sought to be overthrown.”(Doc B). Meaning, America has given the states too much power and rights in government which is leading to the United States’ government being overthrown.

In order to prevent any other Southern states from seceding, the U.S. passed theReconstruction Act, which also became a major constitutional development in the cause of theRevolution. This act put too many restrictions on the South. This Act allowed military governors to assume police power and expected to register new electorate voters. These restrictions made the South angrier and angrier and a revolution was now insight. Senator Lot Morrill stated, “I admit that this species of legislation [Civil Rights Act of 1866] is absolutely revolutionary. . . Are we not in the midst of a civil and political revolution which has changed the fundamental principles of our government in some respect?”(Doc F). This shows that even members of government were aware of the fact that these developments were leading to a revolution, some just refused to admit to it. Therefore, both The South