Question

What important decisions had to be made concerning the fate of the seceded states and the rights of those freed from slavery?

Answer 1

The two most important decisions that had to be made in this was how the seceded states would be reintegrated back into the Union, and how the rights and freedoms given to the newly freed slaves would be enforced and overseen. 

Answer 2

The first decision about the fate of the seceded states was on how they should be allowed to become members of the Union once again. Although radical republicans wanted to punish them severely, this wasn't adopted and a decent proposal was made and they all became parts of the union once again without feeling too humiliated.

The second which was about former slaves was about introducing new amendments which would guarantee constitutional rights for not just african-american people, but for anyone with a different skin color. Three amendments were introduced to protect them and numerous acts and laws which were supposed to enforce these amendments.