What act divided the South into military districts in 1867?

The Reconstruction Act, specifically known as the Military Reconstruction Act, was enacted in 1867 and aimed to address the challenges of rebuilding the South after the Civil War. This act divided the South into five military districts, which were governed by Union generals. The intention behind this division was to enforce order and oversee the transition to a new government structure that would ensure civil rights for formerly enslaved individuals.

The Military Reconstruction Act sought to facilitate the Southern states' re-admittance into the Union by requiring them to draft new constitutions that would allow for universal male suffrage and guarantee civil rights. This military presence was deemed necessary to protect the rights of freedmen and suppress any violent backlash from groups opposed to Reconstruction efforts.

Understanding the context of the Reconstruction period is crucial; it was a time marked by significant tension between different societal groups as the U.S. sought to heal from the Civil War and redefine civil rights. The act played a fundamental role in the larger Reconstruction policy and the federal government's approach to ensuring a lasting transformation in Southern society.