May 1870
Events
- May 31, 1870Enforcement Act of 1870 Criminalizes KKK Terrorism
The First Ku Klux Klan Act (Enforcement Act of 1870) made it a federal crime to interfere with citizens' right to vote, hold office, or enjoy equal protection. It authorized federal courts and military intervention to enforce the 15th Amendment. A second Enforcement Act (February 1871) strengthened federal supervision of elections. The Acts produced hundreds of federal prosecutions: in South Carolina alone, over 600 KKK members were indicted. However, federal commitment waned rapidly: most prosecutions were dropped by the mid-1870s as Northern political will collapsed.
- May 31, 1870Congress Passes Three Enforcement Acts to Combat KKK
Congress passed the First Enforcement Act on May 31, 1870, making it a federal crime to interfere with voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment. A second act in February 1871 provided federal supervision of elections. The Ku Klux Klan Act of April 1871 authorized federal prosecution of conspiracy to deprive citizens of civil rights. Together these acts produced hundreds of prosecutions. Federal attorneys Amos Akerman and Daniel Chamberlain achieved significant convictions in South Carolina be
- May 31, 1870Congress Passes Three Enforcement Acts to Combat KKK
The First Enforcement Act (May 31, 1870) made it a federal crime to interfere with 15th Amendment voting rights. A second act (Feb. 1871) provided federal election supervision. The KKK Act (April 1871) authorized prosecution of conspiracies to deprive citizens of civil rights. Together they produced hundreds of prosecutions, with federal attorneys achieving significant convictions in South Carolina.