1861–1870: THE U.S. CIVIL WAR DESTROYED SLAVERY; RECONSTRUCTION GAVE BLACKS CITIZENSHIP—Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, Part 1
By Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Anthropology, UCLA) & Janet Kira Lessin
See the video below this post for more on the Black vote and Trump’s attempt to exclude Blacks from voting.
When Southern states seceded in 1860–1861, the central dispute concerned the Anunnaki-inculcated attachment to slavery, elite domination, and violence against any challenge to the authority of Whites over Blacks.
The Civil War began in April 1861. President Abraham Lincoln initially emphasized preserving the Union. Emancipation, however, became an increasingly central Union war policy.
Freed slaves escaped plantations, assisted Union forces, and served in the military.
General Grant, commander of Union forces in the Civil War, defeated the South. But after Southern sympathizer Booth murdered Lincoln, Lincoln, to show tolerance for Southerners, had chosen the racist Southerner, Andrew Johnson, as his vice president.
The Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, declaring enslaved people in designated areas in rebellion against the United States free.
The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in December 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime following conviction.
CONGRESS OVERRODE RACIST PRESIDENT JOHNSON’S VETO TO ENACT THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1866
Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, establishing citizenship for people born in the United States and not subject to a foreign power, with an exclusion concerning certain Native Americans.
President Andrew Johnson vetoed the legislation. He objected to its implications for federal authority and questioned citizenship for groups including Chinese immigrants. Congress overrode his veto.
14TH AMENDMENT
Congress then proposed the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, which established a constitutional guarantee of citizenship. Amendment 14 stated, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” The amendment did not define citizenship by race or former enslavement.
15TH AMENDMENT
The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited federal and state governments from denying voting rights because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Together, the 14th and 15th Amendments transformed American constitutional law.
However, women still lacked a nationwide constitutional guarantee against sex-based voting discrimination.
Black citizens still faced intimidation, exclusion, and disenfranchisement then, as they do still, to this very day, under the Trump regime.
In Johnson’s day, Black Union veterans complained, “We helped preserve this nation. Freedom must include our legal recognition, protection, and a voice in government.”
Northern state congressmen warned, “If states can deny citizenship to people born under their authority, they can undermine emancipation through new forms of legal exclusion.”
Former Confederate politicians countered that the federal government should not dictate the composition of state politics.
There’s way more to this story; watch for Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, Part 2.
Share this post; support birthright citizenship.
Accompanying video
Why the US Has Birthright Citizenship — YouTube
Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. — Author
Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Anthropology, UCLA), is an anthropologist, author, educator, and researcher whose work examines human civilization, ancient history, political systems, consciousness, and the enduring struggle between domination and partnership.
He earned his master’s degree and doctorate in Anthropology at UCLA, as well as a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. His anthropological fieldwork in the South Pacific, university teaching, and decades of research inform his examination of humanity’s social institutions and systems of power.
A longtime student and colleague of Zecharia Sitchin, Sasha explores the Anunnaki’s influence on human history and the development of hierarchical civilizations. With his wife and writing partner, Janet Kira Lessin, he publishes articles, books, and educational programs at DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com and EnkiSpeaks.com.
Janet Kira Lessin — Contributing Co-Author
Janet Kira Lessin is an author, editor, researcher, radio and television host, multimedia producer, and contributing co-author whose work explores human history, consciousness, ancient civilizations, civil rights, social transformation, and the evolution of humanity.
Janet collaborates with her husband, anthropologist Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., to research, develop, illustrate, publish, and present educational articles, books, and videos. She brings decades of experience in human relationships, personal growth, counseling, publishing, and broadcast media to their shared exploration of humanity’s past, present, and future.
As a co-creator of Aquarian Media, Janet produces multimedia presentations, interviews, and discussions for international audiences through DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com, AquarianMedia.org, and their YouTube channel, @AquarianRadio.
Janet Kira Lessin & Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. — Co-Authors
Janet Kira Lessin and Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., are husband-and-wife authors, researchers, educators, and multimedia producers who explore ancient and modern history, human consciousness, social evolution, political power, and humanity’s potential for a more cooperative civilization.
Sasha brings his background in anthropology, ethnographic research, university teaching, and the study of ancient civilizations. Janet contributes her experience in writing, editing, broadcasting, multimedia production, consciousness studies, and human relationships.
Together, they examine the recurring conflict between systems of domination and the human aspiration for freedom, equality, cooperation, and self-determination. Their books, articles, broadcasts, and illustrated educational presentations appear through DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com, EnkiSpeaks.com, and AquarianMedia.org.
Their shared mission is to encourage a deeper understanding of humanity’s history and future possibilities.
BELLS & WHISTLES
BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP UNDER ATTACK — PART 1
1861–1870: THE U.S. CIVIL WAR DESTROYED SLAVERY; RECONSTRUCTION GAVE BLACKS CITIZENSHIP
By Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Anthropology, UCLA)
Contributing Co-Author: Janet Kira Lessin
Published by Dragon at the End of Time and Aquarian Media
ARTICLE INTRODUCTION
The American Civil War ended slavery, but the struggle for citizenship, political participation, and equal protection under the law continued through Reconstruction and beyond.
In this first installment of Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, anthropologist Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., and contributing co-author Janet Kira Lessin examine the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, President Andrew Johnson’s opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and Congress’s determination to establish constitutional protections for formerly enslaved Americans.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments fundamentally transformed American law, establishing freedom, constitutional citizenship, and protections against racial discrimination in voting.
The authors connect these historical struggles with contemporary debates over birthright citizenship, voting rights, and federal authority.
Part 2 continues the story.
ABOUT SASHA ALEX LESSIN, PH.D. — AUTHOR
Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Anthropology, UCLA), is an anthropologist, author, educator, counselor, and researcher who examines ancient and modern civilizations, human consciousness, political systems, and humanity’s ongoing struggle between domination and partnership.
He earned his master’s and doctorate in Anthropology at UCLA, as well as a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. His anthropological fieldwork in the South Pacific, university teaching, and decades of research inform his examination of human society and its institutions.
A longtime student and colleague of Zecharia Sitchin, Sasha explores the Anunnaki’s influence on human history and the development of hierarchical civilizations.
Together with his wife, Janet Kira Lessin, he publishes books, articles, broadcasts, and educational presentations through DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com, EnkiSpeaks.com, and AquarianMedia.org.
ABOUT JANET KIRA LESSIN — CONTRIBUTING CO-AUTHOR
Janet Kira Lessin is an author, contributing co-author, editor, researcher, broadcaster, and multimedia producer whose work explores human history, ancient civilizations, consciousness, personal growth, social transformation, and humanity’s evolving future.
Janet collaborates with her husband, anthropologist Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., to research, edit, illustrate, publish, and present educational books, articles, documentaries, and videos.
As co-creator of Aquarian Media, Janet hosts and produces programs exploring history, spirituality, human relationships, extraterrestrial contact, consciousness, and the human experience.
Her publications and multimedia projects appear at DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com, AquarianMedia.org, and YouTube.com/@AquarianRadio.
ABOUT JANET & SASHA LESSIN — CO-AUTHORS
Janet Kira Lessin and Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., are husband-and-wife authors, researchers, educators, and multimedia producers who explore ancient and modern history, consciousness, human civilization, social systems, political power, and humanity’s potential for transformation.
Sasha brings extensive experience in anthropology, ethnographic fieldwork, counseling, university teaching, and ancient civilizations. Janet brings her experience in writing, editing, publishing, broadcasting, relationships, consciousness studies, and multimedia production.
Together, they explore the enduring struggle between domination and partnership, tracing how historical institutions shape contemporary life and examining possibilities for a more conscious, cooperative civilization.
Their books, articles, broadcasts, and educational presentations appear through DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com, EnkiSpeaks.com, and AquarianMedia.org.
YOUTUBE TITLE
Civil War, Slavery & Birthright Citizenship | Reconstruction 1861–1870 | Part 1
YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION
How did the American Civil War transform slavery, citizenship, and voting rights? Why did Congress override President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the Civil Rights Act of 1866? How did the Fourteenth Amendment establish birthright citizenship, and what protections did the Fifteenth Amendment provide?
Join anthropologist Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., and contributing co-author Janet Kira Lessin as they explore the American Civil War, emancipation, Reconstruction, and the constitutional changes that reshaped the United States.
This presentation examines:
- The Civil War and slavery
- Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
- Black soldiers and their contributions to Union victory
- President Andrew Johnson and the Civil Rights Act of 1866
- Congress’s override of Johnson’s veto
- The Thirteenth Amendment and abolition of slavery
- The Fourteenth Amendment and birthright citizenship
- The Fifteenth Amendment and voting rights
- Women’s exclusion from constitutional voting protections
- The continuing debate over citizenship and federal authority
This is Part 1 of our series, BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP UNDER ATTACK.
AUTHORS:
Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Anthropology, UCLA)
Janet Kira Lessin — Contributing Co-Author
OUR WEBSITES:
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/@AquarianRadio
Read our articles, explore our books, subscribe to our channels, and join our continuing conversations.
#CivilWar #Reconstruction #BirthrightCitizenship #14thAmendment #15thAmendment #AmericanHistory #SashaAlexLessin #JanetKiraLessin #AquarianMedia
STREAMYARD TITLE
Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, Part 1 | Civil War & Reconstruction 1861–1870
STREAMYARD DESCRIPTION
The Civil War destroyed American slavery, but Reconstruction brought a new struggle over who could claim citizenship, legal protection, and the right to vote.
Join Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., and Janet Kira Lessin as they examine President Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, President Andrew Johnson, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the constitutional transformation brought by the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.
Explore the history behind birthright citizenship and the debates that continue in contemporary America.
Visit:
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
https://www.youtube.com/@AquarianRadio
SUBSTACK POST
BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP UNDER ATTACK — During Reconstruction, ART 1
1861–1870: THE U.S. CIVIL WARCONSTRUCTION passingKS CITIZENSHIP
By Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D.
Contributing Co-Author: Janet Kira Lessin
The Civil War abolished slavery, but emancipation alone did not guarantee citizenship, political representation, or equal protection.
Congress confronted those questions during Reconstruction, ultimately producing the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
Why were these constitutional changes necessary? Why did President Andrew Johnson resist congressional Reconstruction? How did Black Union veterans contribute to the struggle for citizenship and voting rights?
Our latest article examines the history behind the present-day debate over birthright citizenship.
Read more at:
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
Subscribe to our Substack for additional articles, historical explorations, videos, and upcoming installments of this series.
Part 2 is coming next.
FACEBOOK POST
THE CIVIL WAR ENDED SLAVERY. RECONSTRUCTION TRANSFORMED CITIZENSHIP.
What happened between 1861 and 1870 that permanently changed the United States?
The Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments transformed American law and reshaped citizenship and political participation.
In our new article, Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, Part 1, we explore Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Black Union veterans, congressional Reconstruction, and the continuing debate over citizenship.
By Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D.
Contributing Co-Author: Janet Kira Lessin
Read and share:
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
#CivilWar #Reconstruction #BirthrightCitizenship #AmericanHistory #CivilRights #AquarianMedia
LINKEDIN POST
HOW RECONSTRUCTION REDEFINED AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
Between 1861 and 1870, the United States experienced a profound transformation in its constitutional and political structure.
The Civil War, emancipation, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Reconstruction Amendments reshaped the legal relationships among individuals, states, and the federal government.
In our latest article, Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, Part 1, we examine the historical development of constitutional citizenship and voting protections, including the role of Black Union veterans, congressional Reconstruction, and the conflict between President Andrew Johnson and Congress.
Authors:
Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Anthropology, UCLA)
Janet Kira Lessin, Contributing Co-Author
Read the article at:
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
#AmericanHistory #ConstitutionalLaw #Reconstruction #CivilRights #Citizenship #History
X / TWITTER POST
The Civil War ended slavery. Reconstruction transformed citizenship and voting rights.
Explore the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 13th, 14th & 15th Amendments.
By Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., with Janet Kira Lessin.
DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
#BirthrightCitizenship #History
TAGS — COMMA-SEPARATED
American Civil War, Civil War 1861-1865, Reconstruction, Reconstruction Era, Birthright Citizenship, Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, African American History, Black History, Slavery in America, Abolition of Slavery, Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S Grant, Civil Rights Act of 1866, Thirteenth Amendment, 13th Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, 14th Amendment, Fifteenth Amendment, 15th Amendment, Constitutional Law, American Constitution, United States Citizenship, Citizenship Rights, Black Voting Rights, African American Voting Rights, Black Union Soldiers, United States Colored Troops, Reconstruction Amendments, Civil Rights History, Congressional Reconstruction, Presidential Reconstruction, Women’s Suffrage, History of Democracy, American Political History, Federal Authority, States Rights, Voter Disenfranchisement, History of Racism, Anunnaki, Domination and Partnership, Sasha Alex Lessin, Janet Kira Lessin, Aquarian Media, Dragon at the End of Time, Enki Speaks
HASHTAGS
#CivilWar #Reconstruction #BirthrightCitizenship #AmericanHistory #BlackHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #CivilRights #Emancipation #AbrahamLincoln #AndrewJohnson #14thAmendment #15thAmendment #13thAmendment #VotingRights #USConstitution #Citizenship #HistoryMatters #SashaAlexLessin #JanetKiraLessin #AquarianMedia #DragonAtTheEndOfTime #EnkiSpeaks
SEO — SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
SEO TITLE:
Civil War, Reconstruction & Birthright Citizenship | 1861–1870
META DESCRIPTION:
Explore how the Civil War, Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments transformed slavery, citizenship, and voting rights in America.
FOCUS KEYWORD:
Birthright Citizenship Under Attack
SECONDARY KEYWORDS:
Civil War and Reconstruction, Fourteenth Amendment, citizenship after slavery, Civil Rights Act of 1866, African American voting rights, Reconstruction Amendments
SUGGESTED URL SLUG:
civil-war-reconstruction-birthright-citizenship-1861-1870
REFERENCES AND HISTORICAL SOURCES
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES — EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION (1863)
Abraham Lincoln’s January 1, 1863, proclamation declaring enslaved people in designated Confederate territories free.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/emancipation-proclamation
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES — THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT (1865)
The constitutional amendment abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime following conviction.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/13th-amendment
- UNITED STATES STATUTES AT LARGE — CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1866
Thirty-Ninth Congress, Session I, Chapter 31, April 9, 1866. 14 Stat. 27.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-14/pdf/STATUTE-14-Pg27.pdf
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES — FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT (1868)
The constitutional amendment establishing national citizenship and due process and equal protection protections.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/14th-amendment
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES — FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT (1870)
It prohibits denying the denial of voting rights on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/15th-amendment
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES — MILESTONE DOCUMENTS
A collection of foundational United States documents, including the Emancipation Proclamation and Reconstruction Amendments.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/list
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES — AMERICA’S FOUNDING DOCUMENTS
Original document images, including the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/downloads
- ACCOMPANYING EDUCATIONAL VIDEO — WHY THE US HAS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
CLOSING PARAGRAPH FOR ARTICLE AND VIDEO
The Civil War ended slavery, but Reconstruction established the constitutional foundations of citizenship and political participation that continue to shape the United States.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments transformed Americans’ relationship with their government. Their history remains central to today’s debates over citizenship, voting rights, and federal power.
This story has much more to it. Watch for Birthright Citizenship Under Attack, Part 2.
Read our books, subscribe to our broadcasts, share our research, and join our continuing exploration of humanity’s history and future.
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. & Janet Kira Lessin
Aquarian Media — A More Awake World Together
PROMOTIONAL DISTRIBUTION
DRAGON AT THE END OF TIME — Full illustrated article and accompanying video.
YOUTUBE — HeyGen narrated presentation.
SUBSTACK — Article, introduction, and subscriber updates.
FACEBOOK — Historical collage and article announcement.
LINKEDIN — Historical and constitutional discussion.
X / TWITTER — Short announcement and article link.
STREAMYARD — Live or prerecorded panel discussion.
ONESTREAM LIVE — Distribution to connected streaming destinations.
AQUARIAN MEDIA
A More Awake World Together
https://DragonAtTheEndOfTime.com
https://www.youtube.com/@AquarianRadio
Attachments area
