Tennessee readmitted to the Union, 1866

Background. Following the Civil War, Tennessee established a functioning Unionist government by 1864. The state ratified the Thirteenth Amendment in April 1865. Governor William G. Brownlow's administration, active from 1865 to 1869, disenfranchised former Confederates and allowed African American men to vote. These actions positioned Tennessee to meet federal requirements for readmission, distinguishing it from other Southern states where Radical Republicans blocked restoration due to Black Codes and recalcitrance.

Ratification of Amendments. Tennessee ratified the Thirteenth Amendment on April 7, 1865, outlawing slavery. On July 18, 1866, it became the first Confederate state to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection to former slaves. This ratification was crucial for Tennessee's readmission, as Congress had rejected President Johnson's moderate reconstruction plans in December 1865, organizing a Joint Committee to devise stricter requirements for Southern states.

Readmission to Congress. On July 24, 1866, Tennessee became the first Confederate state to have its elected members readmitted to Congress. This event occurred before the broader Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which outlined terms for other rebel states. Tennessee's early readmission reflected its Unionist government's compliance with federal demands, contrasting with the political tensions and unrest in other Southern states, such as the Memphis riots in 1866.