Requirements for Confederate States' Readmission to the Union

During Congressional (Radical) Reconstruction (1867–1870), the former Confederate states had to meet four core conditions to regain representation in Congress:

1. Ratify the 14th Amendment

• Guaranteed citizenship, equal protection, due process to all persons born/naturalized in US.
• Disqualified former Confederate officeholders from state/federal office (Section 3).
• Reduced representation if Black men denied vote (Section 2).

2. Adopt New State Constitutions

• Drafted by conventions elected under universal male suffrage (including Black men).
• Must guarantee Black male suffrage, civil rights, public education.
• Approved by Congress before readmission.

3. Enfranchise Black Men

• Implemented via new constitutions and the 15th Amendment (ratified 1870).
• Federal oversight (First Reconstruction Act) ensured registration and voting.

4. Remove Former Confederates from Power

• Military governors (5 districts) removed civilian officials who refused loyalty oaths.
• Section 3 of 14th Amendment barred insurrectionists from office (later weakened by Amnesty Acts).

Readmission Timeline

Reconstruction ended 1877 (Compromise of 1877); federal troops withdrawn; Jim Crow era began—undoing many gains.