was one part of a larger plot to decapitate the federal government of the U.S. after the Civil War. As a result, new state governments formed across the South and enacted “black codes.” These restrictive measures were designed to repress the recently freed slave population
It slowed it and had a huge negative affect. After his death, the choice of reconstruction was up to two candidates with very opposing views, who didn't have enough time to decide what they wanted to do. It made the whole process extremely rushed.
Judges decide the law based on previous court cases according to the document called the doctrine of stare decisis. I hope that this is the answer that you were looking for and it has helped you.