Enforcement Act of 1870
The Enforcement Act of 1870 was the first of a series of "Enforcement Acts" between the years of 1870 and 1871. After the 15th Amendment , former slaves were able to exercise their right to vote. They elected sixteen African Americans for positions in Congress and many more for local offices. Because of this, the backlash in the southern states was bloody. This caused Congress to take charge and pass a series of "Enforcement Acts" that made it a federal crime for individuals or groups (specifically the Ku Klux Klan) to interfere with a black man's right to vote, hold office, or enjoy equal protection of the laws.