CarlosP  

Then the election of 1868 happened and Grant became president. He was a friend of congress so reconstruction went smoothly.

What a relief.

The congress passed the 15th amendment which blacks had the right to vote. This made the south very angry.

Really? and then what?

The south responded by creating the black codes had the intent and the effect of restricting African Americans' freedom, and of compelling them to work in a labor economy based on low wages

That's mean.