Jake Holland

9/27/15
Green Group
Reconstruction Rap Lyrics
MP3 of song in Pd 6 Handin Folder
Let me kick off my rap with one simple rhyme, start in 1863, this begins the time,
The Civil war has ended were done with destruction, it is a new era, call it reconstruction.
The 13th amendment of the constitution, changed all of america it was a revolution.
The amendment stated that slavery was eradicated, this was a sign that blacks were now
emancipated.
The Freedmen's Bureau helped slaves after the war, it aided them so they wouldnt have to beg
anymore,
It helped poor whites and former slaves in the south, giving land, clothes and putting food in
their mouths.
The House of Representatives maintained the proper will, supervising the power of the king on
the hill,
They began to feel that Johnson wasn't filling his role, so the made the Tenure of Office Act to
restrict his control.
Johnson violated the act by firing the secretary of war, something that America had never ever
seen before,
Andrew Johnson was in absolute misery, he became the first impeached president in US history.
Then along came a group called the Ku Klux Klan, who had the goal to restrict the colored man,
They tried to get rid of african american rights, and regain political domination controlled by the
whites.
This group put freedmen in absolute peril, this was no joke, forget Will Ferrell,
Then along came the 14th titling citizens by birth, disregarding their race, color or worth.
Since we're on amendments I think that we should, get the 15th down and understood.
The 15th allowed all people the right to vote, but this was strongly hated as many refused to
devote.
Many questioned this amendment and its mission, because it allowed all to vote despite their
condition.
Equality was beginning to augment, as Hiram Revels became the first colored man to represent.
During the war, Sherman set slaves free, they followed him south to live peacefully,
He gave mules and 40 acres of land, he gave them a chance to finally make a stand.
This action showed that the Emancipation had worked, slaves could finally be free without being
jerked,
The land was taken away, being good for a while, but like everything else, anger built up a pile.
Sharecropping was an agricultural system, if you don't know what that is then just sit back and
listen.
It was when families farmed on a plot of land, to get crop instead of money like the common
man.
It was a way to avoid the possession of slaves, while keeping workers working without paying
them wage.
Black codes restricted the people of color, stripping them of their rights, education, and dollar.
The codes made them feel like they were back in captivity, as the whites in the South began
their festivity,
Then in 1877 came the compromise, it was one that all people had to prioritize.
It solved the election of 1876, it was an event that had intentions to fix.
Part of it stated that if Hayes took office, he would remove and destroy the reconstruction
process.

It all ended with Hayes induction, putting America into its time of deconstruction.
Mmm Mmm that rap was sweet like cake, but for now Im signing off, ya boy Jake.
Background Music Citation
"Hopsin Pans In The Kitchen Instrumental." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.