In January 1867, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens introduced legislation that would become the First Reconstruction Act...

In January 1867, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens introduced legislation that would become the First Reconstruction Act and establish 'Congressional Reconstruction'. 1. It dissolved the Southern state governments and turned them into five military districts, under martial law. 2. It reconvened southern state constitutional conventions, now allowing African Americans participation, while excluding former Confederates. 3. It required Southern States to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment before rejoining the Union. In Steven Spielberg's 2012 film, LINCOLN, Thaddeus Stevens was played by Tommy Lee Jones (BSLOC_2019_5_105)