House of Representatives in the Civil War in the United States
U.S. House of Representatives: History of the U.S. House of Representatives: Civil War and Reconstruction
Introduction to House of Representatives in the Civil War
The federal government assumed broad new powers during the Civil War, requiring the House to consider more bills than ever before. The House passed legislation to create a national banking system to finance the war, subsidize railroad construction, and encourage settlement of the West.
After the war, the House struggled for consensus during Reconstruction (1865-1877), a period in which the country repaired damage from the war and reincorporated Southern states into the political system. The House created new committees to coordinate finances and to plan new roads, harbors, schools, and other federal projects. Congress imposed strict requirements on Southern states hoping to rejoin the United States, setting the ground for a showdown with President Andrew Johnson. The president bitterly opposed congressional interference during Reconstruction. The House voted to impeach Johnson in 1868, but he was acquitted in the Senate by one vote (see Impeachment).
The extension of voting rights to African Americans a few years after the Civil War led to the election of blacks at many levels of government, including Congress. In 1870 Joseph Rainey, a freed slave from South Carolina, became the first black to serve in the House. In all, 14 African American representatives were elected to the House during Reconstruction. After Reconstruction ended, Southern states used poll taxes (taxes levied on people who vote), literacy tests, and other discriminatory devices to prevent blacks from voting. The restrictions on African American voting made it nearly impossible for blacks to win election to the House.” (1)