After the Civil War, each former Confederate state was required to write a new state constitution before it could re-enter the Union. South Carolina created a new constitution in 1865. Why was this constitution not acceptable to the federal government
The new state constitution created by South Carolina in 1865 was not acceptable to the federal government for several reasons. One of the main concerns was that the constitution did not guarantee equal rights for freed slaves. During that time, the country was going through a period known as Reconstruction, which aimed to address issues related to the aftermath of the Civil War, including the emancipation of slaves and their integration into society.
The federal government, particularly the Republican-controlled Congress, believed that the former Confederate states should adopt new constitutions that granted freed slaves full civil and political rights. However, South Carolina's new constitution fell short of meeting these expectations. It did not provide for the protection of civil rights, including voting rights, of African Americans.
Another reason for the federal government's rejection of South Carolina's constitution was its failure to acknowledge the authority of the United States and accept the outcomes of the war and the abolishment of slavery. The state constitution did not express loyalty to the Union and refused to acknowledge the equality of all citizens, regardless of race.
In response to South Carolina's inadequate constitution, the federal government required the state to make significant revisions to guarantee equal rights for freed slaves and demonstrate its commitment to the Union. This eventually led to the adoption of the 1868 South Carolina constitution, which was more in line with the requirements set by the federal government during Reconstruction.