2 things that helped African Americans after the Civil War, and name 2 things that hurt African Americans after the Civil War.

2 things that helped African Americans:

In 1865, after the Civil War, the long process of Reconstruction began. Congress passed new laws to give African Americans freedom. Then the Civil Rights Act of 1866, African Americans enjoyed a period when they were allowed to vote, actively participate in the political process, acquire the land of former owners, seek their own employment.

2 things that hurt African Americans:

Many African Americans lived in desperate rural poverty across the South in the decades following the Civil War. Some States didn't follow the 13th amendment and still had African slaves.

congress was not thoroughly prohibiting states from funding religious schools.