FOURTEEN was a moving theatrical performance that shed light on the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. Through dramatic interpretation of original texts, the performance brought to life the leaders, influential figures, and everyday Americans who were central to the Reconstruction era. In this clip, performers share sections of the Black Codes from the Reconstruction era and the response of African Americans to the rise of these laws.
Educational Video
The Black Codes: A Clip From FOURTEEN
July 15, 2020
Explore Further
Eric Foner on Our Fragile Freedoms
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner discusses his new collection of essays
Our Fragile Freedoms
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner discusses Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of…
Presidential powers, transgender rights among upcoming Supreme Court arguments
Starting in January 2026, the Supreme Court will resume hearing arguments in several high-profile cases, including debates about…
AP Court Case Review Featuring Caroline Fredrickson (All Levels)
In this fast-paced and fun session, Caroline Fredrickson, one of the legal scholars behind the National Constitution Center’s…