The Fight for Equality
Why did the delegates at the Virginia Convention believe that the 13th Amendment wasn’t the only thing necessary for their protection?
The delegates were at the Virginia Convention were concerned about the white people in the society that despised the black community only based on their race. Furthermore, the hatred elevated due to black people’s liberation from slavery by the United States Government. This inequality on the black man did not end after the release from slavery due to the continued non-acceptance of the black man’s freedom by racist white people, causing the need for the right to vote being granted to the black man.
What else did they say was needed, and why?
The delegates primarily sought the right to vote, but the main reason for this request was advocating for the black man’s equality within society. The implementation of equality would provide a means for the black man to enforce their equality right upon violation. The concerns arose due to the racist white people who had challenges in accepting the black man’s freedom.
In his letter to the governor of Mississippi, who does Johnson refer to as “the adversary”?
The adversary is the racist white people against the acceptance of the freedom of the black man.
Why was Johnson encouraging the governor of Mississippi to go beyond the 13th Amendment?
Johnson argued on the need for the right to vote to eradicate the adversary that black men would experience despite their granted freedom. This action was to provide a means of enhancing the 13th Amendment to go beyond the freedom of the black man by advocating for equality. Furthermore, he argued that the right to vote for black people would set an example for other states that would be beneficial to other black people.
Additionally, Johnson argued that the right to vote for black people would negatively impact the radicals supporting black slavery. The ideology is that the radical’s attempts to prevent the Southern States from reestablishing their relationship with the Union through the non- acceptance of their Representatives and Senators.
Did Thaddeus Stevens believe the 13th Amendment was all that was necessary for reconstruction to succeed? Why or why not?
Thaddeus Stevens was not of the view that the 13th Amendment was needed for successful reconstruction. The rationale behind this position is that he advocated for equality beyond the freedom of the black man. Furthermore, Thaddeus Stevens stated that Congress should provide assisted measures for the black man due to the slavery legislation, which led to the absence of education, business information, and contract information. He reiterated that the black man’s abandonment in the sole reliance of the 13th Amendment would be equivalent to sending the black man back to his master.
What evidence is there in his speech for support of the 14th and 15th Amendments?
Thaddeus Stevens spoke on the protection of equality for the majority groups in the society. The previous representative to the United States believed that despite the inclusion of equality, there are still challenges that majority groups would experience to which equality would assist. He believed that everyone is entitled to equality, which equality is provided for under the 14th and 15th Amendments.