Question

read and annotate the quotes below. then respond to the following questions. quote #1 rep. thaddeus stevens (republican from pennsylvania): \the fourteenth amendment allows congress to correct the unjust legislation of the states, so far that the law which operates upon one man shall operate equally upon all. whatever law punishes a white man for a crime shall punish the black man precisely in the same way and to the same degree. whatever law protects the white man shall afford equal protection to the black man.\ why did thaddeus stevens believe the 14th amendment was needed? give an example of unjust legislation passed by states that stevens may be referring to in quote #1. why do you think former confederate states and president johnson opposed the 14th amendment?

Explanation:

1. Thaddeus Stevens believed the 14th Amendment was needed to correct unjust state - level legislation and ensure equal application of laws, guaranteeing equal protection under the law.
2. An example of unjust legislation could be Black Codes passed by southern states after the Civil War, which restricted the rights of African - Americans while allowing whites more freedoms.
3. Former Confederate states and President Johnson opposed the 14th Amendment likely because it would limit state power to discriminate against African - Americans and enforce a more equal society, which went against their pre - Civil War social and political structures.

Answer:

1. To correct unjust state legislation and ensure equal law application.
2. Black Codes.
3. It limited state power to discriminate and challenged pre - Civil War social and political structures.