Which legislative act aimed to impose strict requirements on Southern states after the Civil War?

The Wade-Davis Bill was a significant piece of legislation introduced during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. It sought to impose strict requirements on Southern states before they could rejoin the Union. Specifically, the bill mandated that a majority of white males in a state needed to take an oath of allegiance to the Union, swearing they had never supported the Confederacy. Additionally, it required states to adopt new constitutions that abolished slavery and guaranteed civil rights for freedmen.

This approach aimed to create a more rigorous framework for the reintegration of Southern states and reflected the Radical Republicans’ desire to ensure a fundamental transformation in Southern society, particularly concerning the status and rights of formerly enslaved individuals. The Wade-Davis Bill ultimately faced a presidential veto, reflecting the political tensions of the time, but its intent highlighted the urgency and contentious nature of post-war reconstruction efforts.