Describe what happened in Georgia’s General Assembly in September of 1868. What was the result of this?
In September 1868, the Georgia General Assembly, which was the legislative body of the state, reconvened amidst the turbulent political landscape of the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War. The assembly was tasked with dealing with significant issues, including implementing the policies of the federal government and making necessary changes to the state's laws and constitution to accommodate the evolving post-war society.
During this time, the primary focus of the Georgia General Assembly was to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of their race or previous condition of servitude, and it also reinforced the civil rights of newly freed African Americans.
In September 1868, the Georgia General Assembly officially ratified the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision was seen as a significant step towards ensuring equality and civil rights for African Americans in the state. It was also crucial for Georgia's reintegration into the Union and the acceptance of its newly adopted constitution, which was required for Congressional recognition.
However, despite this progressive action, opposition to the Fourteenth Amendment, as well as Reconstruction policies in general, was present among many white Georgians. This led to ongoing political and social tensions, continued racial discrimination, and resistance to change in the following years. The General Assembly's decision was just one part of a long and complex process of rebuilding the southern states and addressing the deep-seated issues arising from slavery and its aftermath.