The Reconstruction Act series of laws were passed by the Radical Republicans in Congress who had almost complete control over the policies made in government in relation to the Reconstruction of the South following the Civil War. The series of laws are also referred to as the Military Reconstruction Act. The Radical Republicans had gained sufficient power to override any vetoes by President Johnson and this period of history is often referred to as Congressional Reconstruction.

The Events leading up to the Reconstruction Act with its Series of Laws and Statutes
Following the assassination of President Lincoln in April 1865, Vice President Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat, assumed the Presidency. Johnson adopts the Lincoln Reconstruction plans but is criticized by the Radical Republicans in Congress for being too lenient on the South. The Southern states attempt to restore self-rule and pass the notorious Black Codes in 1865 -1866 and are reluctant to ratify the 13th Amendment. President Johnson infuriates Congress by vetoing an extension to the Freedmen's Bureau and the majority Republicans respond by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and by the fall of 1866 gain a two-thirds margin in the Congressional elections and have the power to pass the Reconstruction Act with its Series of Laws and Statutes, which becomes known as the Military Reconstruction Act.

The Purpose of the Reconstruction Act Series of Laws and Statutes
The purpose of the Reconstruction Act statutes was to determine the terms to be fulfilled for the former Confederate States of America to be re-admitted to the Union.

What were the Main Features of the Reconstruction Act?
The Main Features of the Reconstruction Act were:

• To divide the seceded states into five military districts

• Each state had to draft a new state constitution, which would have to be approved by Congress

• That each state had to ratify the 14th Amendment prior to readmission to the Union. (The 14th Amendment was passed on June 13, 1866 stating that every person born in the US was a citizen)

The First Reconstruction Act of 1867
The First Reconstruction Act of 1867 was passed on March 2, 1867 and called "An act to provide for the more efficient government of the Rebel States". The Provisions of the First Reconstruction Act of 1867 determined that:

• The former Confederate States of America (CSA) is divided into 5 military districts under the direction of Union military officers, who are supported by federal troops

• Military courts can be used to try cases involving civil and property rights violations, as well as criminal trials.

• States have to enact new constitutions that grant voting rights to black men (Freedmen)

• High-ranking Confederate officials are temporarily barred from political participation

• States must ratify the 14th Amendment in order to be represented in Congress.

Reaction to the First Reconstruction Act: President Andrew Johnson vetoes the bill, but Congress is powerful enough to override the veto. However, the Southern states refuse to carry out the law with the exception of Tennessee.

The Second Reconstruction Act of 1867
The second Reconstruction Act of 1867 was passed on March 23, 1867. The Provisions of the Second Reconstruction Act of 1867 provides:

• Military district commanders are given directions on holding state constitutional conventions

Reaction to the Second Reconstruction Act: President Andrew Johnson vetoes the bill, but Congress again overrides the presidential veto. President Johnson is forced to implement Congressional reconstruction, but the Johnson administration reads between the lines as much as possible and interpret the requirements as tightly as possible.

The Third Reconstruction Act of 1867
The Third Reconstruction Act of 1867 was passed on July 19, 1867. The Provisions of the Third Reconstruction Act of 1867:

• Affirms the authority of the military district commanders to remove state officials from office

The Fourth Reconstruction Act of 1868
The Fourth Reconstruction Act of 1868 was passed on March 11, 1868. The Provisions of the Fourth Reconstruction Act of 1868 determined that:

• The proposed state constitutions to be ratified by a simple process of taking the majority vote in each state

Reaction to the Fourth Reconstruction Act: The House of Representatives, annoyed at the stubborn and inflexible attitude of the President and the interference of the Johnson administration, impeach  President Andrew Johnson

Significance of the Reconstruction Act
The Reconstruction Act inflamed the situation between Congress and Johnson and led to the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson in which he was narrowly acquitted by just one vote.