After the abolition of slavery, new challenges arose; one of these was the readmission of the Southern states into the Union. “The goal of Reconstruction was to readmit the South on terms acceptable to the North: full political and civil equality for blacks and denial of the political rights of the whites who were the leaders of the secession movement” (Wormser, 2002). Easier said than done, Reconstruction, in the sense originally intended by President Lincoln, took many years to become a reality due to a variety of problems. The allowed "black codes", although dubious, showed the resistance of the South, this and the lack of opportunity for blacks to have to pay for lands, as well as the obstacles they faced to vote were the most important issues to overcome during Reconstruction. After these problems were resolved, equality in education, voting rights, and land ownership for blacks was established. Many historical figures have defended the rights of the marginalized. Among them were President Abraham Lincoln, who instituted the abolition of slavery in 1865 and laid the foundations for Reconstruction in 1862, Frederick Douglas, a former slave who spoke for the freedom of slaves and, after emancipation, for the rights of newly freedmen, and Susan B. Anthony, a Quaker abolitionist, who along with others began the suffrage movement. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 three miles south of Hodgenville, Kentucky. Born of humble origins into a peasant family, he lost his mother at a young age and received minimal education during his youth. However, according to accounts from his family and friends, he loved to read and spent long periods of time reading. His cousin, Denis Hanks, once... center of card......rederick Douglas Heritage (2013) Frederick Douglas Heritage. Retrieved from www.frederick-douglas-heritage.org/timeline3/gHickey JT, 92013) Timeline of Abraham Lincoln. Retrieved from www.lincoln.lib.niu./edu/chronology/frame/htmlLincoln home, (20130. National Historic Site. Retrieved from www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/liho/politician.htmlLibrary of Congress, (2013) Women's Rights, Susan B. Anthony Retrieved from www.nps.gov/wori/historyculture/susn-b-anthony.htmMcBride, A. (2007) Brown v. Board of Education Landmark Cases www.pbs.org./wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.htmlCivil Rights Act (1964 ) Civil Rights Act Retrieve from www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=97National Archives (2013) American Historical Documents. Retrieved from www.archives.gov/historical-docs/document.html