In 1865, former confederate general Robert Richardson remarks that the emancipated slaves own nothing, because nothing but freedom has been given to them. Explain whether this would be an accurate assessment of reconstruction 12 years later

Yes, this would be accurate. African-Americans were not allowed to vote until 1870 and not even considered citizens until 1868. Racism still stood strong in the South and landowners would keep former slaves as impoverished sharecroppers who were technically free but owed so much money for housing and tools that they would not be allowed to leave with such a enormous debt. While in 1877 former slaves were already allowed to vote, South states applied laws involving taxes and literacy tests, which kept the illiterate and poor former slaves from voting. Finally, discrimination kept them from getting jobs and fueled attacks from white supremacist groups for the next hundred years. Conditions did improve between 1865 and 1877, but the situation was still grim.