As Republicans were passing the Civil Rights Act of 1866, they were concerned to make sure that its protection for freedmen would be secure within the Constitution. The 13th Amendment did not seem to provide freedmen protection from the unequal enforcement of the laws happening under the restored state governments. How could the U.S. Constitution be amended to ensure that the state governments provided justice and the protection of rights to all citizens? The protection for freedmen from state abuses and neglect became part of larger debates on how to protect the rights of individual citizens from these abuses.

This program will be conducted as a discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings, and with Professor Buccola facilitating the conversation. Registrants, therefore, are highly encouraged to read all the documents in advance and come ready with questions.