While there were instances of presidential activism during the period, most powerfully by Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson, as is illustrated by Source 1 with regards to Andrew Johnson, specific presidential biases had significant detrimental effects on the strength of what legislation was passed and with the obstructive influence of Congress throughout the period, question the strength of presidential action further. In this way, it is not compelling to consider Presidential action as a primary driving force: Presidents regularly acted to maintain the status quo, and change was usually motivated by political gain rather than morality. Litigation. The US Constitution lays out many protections and rights for citizens of the United States. After being granted full citizenship by the 14th Amendment African-Americans were, in theory, subject to these protections. However, due in part to the failure of the Reconstruction discussed previously, this did not come about.Instead, the basis of Reconstruction amendments was attacked by the Supreme Court and the
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