What condition did the Reconstruction Act impose on Southern states wishing to re-enter the Union?

The correct answer is rooted in the historical context of the Reconstruction Act, which was passed by Congress in 1867 following the Civil War. This act aimed to rebuild and reintegrate the Southern states into the Union under specific terms that promoted civil rights and citizenship for formerly enslaved individuals. A key condition for Southern states to re-enter the Union was the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and provided equal protection under the law. This requirement was instrumental in ensuring that newly reconstructed states would recognize and protect the civil rights of African Americans.

In contrast, the other options do not represent conditions imposed by the Reconstruction Act. For instance, while educational standards were important during this period, there was no specific mandate requiring Southern states to adopt new such standards as a condition for rejoining the Union. Likewise, there was no requirement to abolish state taxes, as taxes were seen as an essential governmental function, nor was there an expectation to enforce the Black Codes, which were discriminatory laws used by Southern states to restrict the rights of African Americans. Thus, the focus on ratifying the Fourteenth Amendment was a pivotal moment in the Reconstruction process, aimed at creating a more equitable society in the