The Tennessee Constitutional Convention of 1870 (5.43-5.45)

After the Civil War was over, TN needed a new constitution. On November 15, 1869, the TN General Assembly called for an election to be held in December. What were the goals?

*Hint look on page 156

The Tennessee Constitutional Convention of 1870

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Multiple Choice

Why did Tennessee need a new constitution after the Civil War?

• All former Confederate states had to ban segregation to rejoin the Union.

• All former Confederate states had to ban slavery to rejoin the Union.

• All former Confederate states had to ban poll taxes to rejoin the Union.

• All former Confederate states had to pay taxes to rejoin the Union.

​The new constitution gave all men the right to vote. But it also required registered voters to pay a poll tax. This needed to be paid on Election Day prior to submitting a vote.

The Poll Tax

​​What was the purpose of the poll tax?

​​When was the poll tax abolished?

Multiple Choice

How did the Tennessee Constitution of 1870 impact African American voting rights?

• The Constitution of 1870 gave African American men and women the right to vote

• The Constitution of 1870 established a poll tax

• The Constitution of 1870 denied African Americans the right to vote

• The Constitution of 1870 established Jim Crow laws to protect African Americans at the polls

Jim Crow Laws & Segregation

After the Civil War

The time period after the Civil War was known as Reconstruction. All slaves were freed and the south had to rebuild factories, farmland, and many areas that were destroyed by the war. The newly freed African Americans were able to secure jobs as farmers and factory workers, which were low-paying jobs. Due to state laws in the south, black people and white people were segregated. Jim Crow laws were established to discriminate against African Americans.

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of Jim Crow laws?

• To ban slavery

• To allow African Americans the right to vote

• To segregate white and black Americans

• To ban poll taxes

Multiple Choice

What was the outcome of Jim Crow laws?

• African Americans got a better education than Whites.

• Reconstruction in Tennessee came to an end.

• Discrimination against African Americans became common.

• A Constitutional Convention was held in 1870.

Multiple Choice

Which word is a synonym for segregate?

• include

• eliminate

• award

• separate

​This was established by Congress in 1865. This government agency was established to help freed slaves and poor whites with many essentials. What were the essentials that this agency provided? Why was this important?

Freedmen's Bureau

Multiple Select

What was the purpose of Freedmen's Bureau? Check all that apply

• Offer legal services

• Helped former slaves find land

• Provide food, housing, and medical care

• Collect poll taxes on Election day