What was the outcome of Georgia's refusal to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment in 1866?

Georgia's refusal to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment in 1866 led to the state being placed under military control as part of the Reconstruction efforts. The Fourteenth Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, was a critical component of rebuilding the nation after the Civil War and ensuring rights for formerly enslaved individuals.

The imposition of military control was a consequence of Georgia's non-compliance, as the federal government sought to enforce the new constitutional changes and ensure that southern states upheld the new rights granted. This military oversight meant that the federal government had the authority to supervise the state’s governance and facilitate the process of Reconstruction, which included requirements for new state constitutions and the re-establishment of governments that would adhere to federal laws.

In this context, Georgia being placed under military control represented the federal government's commitment to enforcing civil rights and ensuring that states, particularly in the South, conformed to the conditions necessary for readmission into the Union.