The Forty-Second Congress of the United States convened from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1873. It was notable for being the first Congress after the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the Reconstruction Era. This Congress included significant legislation aimed at rebuilding the South and addressing issues related to the newly freed African American population. During this session, Congress passed important laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which aimed to protect the civil rights of citizens. The Forty-Second Congress also dealt with various economic issues and the ongoing challenges of integrating the Southern states back into the Union.