Name: Date: Class Period: 8.1 (Standards: 1, 4, 5; Themes: MOV, SOC, CIV, ECO) Reconstruction 1865-1877 Regional tension following the Civil War complicated efforts to heal the nation and to redefine the status of African Americans. Note: The learning goals, rationale, objectives, and essential questions for this topic are listed below. It is your responsibility to participate in class, study this information, learn it, and know it for your quiz and test. This note packet is intended to help you to understand and aid in your studying. Work hard and do your best Learning Goals and Rationale: Objectives: Essential Questions: 1. To understand the basic provisions of the amendments 13 th bans slavery in the United States, 14 th grants citizenship to all persons born in the United States Compare and Contrast the differences between Reconstruction under Lincolns plan, Johnson s plan, and 1. What are the basic provisions of the 13 th, 14 th, and 15 th Amendments to the Constitution? and guarantees them equal protection under the law, and 15 th ensures all congressional (Radical) Reconstruction. 2. What were the Reconstruction policies for the South? citizens the right to vote, regardless of Examine the Reconstruction 3. How did Reconstruction end? race, color, or previous servitude. amendments (13 th, 14 th, and 15tj) 4. What were the lasting impacts 2. To understand Reconstruction policies and problems southern military leaders could not hold office, Examine the Freedmen s Bureau s purpose, success, and the extent of it success. of the actions of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and Frederick Douglas? African Americans could not hold office, Northern soldiers supervised the South, the Freedmen s Bureau was established Examine the impacts of the sharecropping system on African Americans. to aid former enslaved African Examine the reasons for the Americans in the South, southern states migration of African Americans to adopted Black Codes to limit the the North. economic and physical freedom of Explore methods used by Southern former slaves. state governments to impact the 3. To understand the end of lives of African Americans, reconstruction - Reconstruction ended including Black Codes, poll taxes, in 1877 as a result of a compromise over and Jim Crow laws. the outcome of the election of 1876. Explore the development and 4. To examine various opinions on a organization of the Ku Klux Klan single subject Lincoln s plan for and White Leagues. Reconstruction v. Johnson s plan, v. Examine the effects if the Plessy v. Radical Reconstruction. Ferguson ruling. 5. To develop analytical skills. Pg. 3 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 7 Pg. 9 Pg. 10 Pg. 12 Pg. 13 Pg. 14 1
Glossary Vocabulary: Thirteenth Amendment: Reconstruction: Radical Republican: Freedmen s Bureau: Black codes: Scalawag: Carpetbagger: Fourteenth Amendment: Sharecropping: Ku Klux Klan: Fifteenth Amendment: Important People: Abraham Lincoln: An amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1865, that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. Period from 1865 to 1877 in which the U.S. government attempted to rebuild Southern society and governments. Congressman who favored using federal power to rebuild the South and promote African-American rights. Federal agency set up to help former enslaved people. Laws that limited the freedom of former enslaved people. White Southerner who supported Radical Reconstruction. A northerner who moved to the South after the Civil War. Constitutional amendment that made all people born in the U.S. (including former slaves) citizens. A system under which landowners gave poor farmers seed, tools, and land to cultivate in exchange for part of their harvest. Secret group that used violence to try to restore Democratic control of the South and keep African-Americans powerless. Constitutional amendment that stated that citizens could not be stopped from voting on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. President of the United States at the beginning of Reconstruction and a moderate Republican, he wished to make the South's return to the Union as quick and easy as possible. Andrew Johnson: Democratic President of the United States who took over after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln; he favored a lenient Reconstruction policy, supported states' rights, and opposed African American equality. Thaddeus Steven: Leader of the Radical Republicans in Congress who was devoted to a harsh punishment of the Southern states. Worked towards equality for African Americans. Rutherford B. Hayes: President of the United States whose election brought an end to Reconstruction. 2
Civil War Review Since its very beginning the United States had experienced, or the development of very different lifestyles, economies and cultures. As time went on the divide between the and grew wider and wider. The southern economy depended on while the north was more suited for and. Each time a new territory wanted to join the Union as a state, there was a huge political debate in and were made to keep the peace. The first one was the of 1820 which made Missouri a slave state and a free state. The next one came in 1850 and made a free state, enforced the law in North, and allowed the New Mexico territory to use (vote of all the people) in the future to determine whether to be a free or slave state. As these compromises continued, the movement grew as more northerners wanted slavery to end completely. Men like, a former slave himself, toured the country giving speeches against the continuation of slavery. In 1856, the - territory experienced a mini Civil War when people on both sides of the issue flooded the territory to vote for their cause. as it became known, was a premonition of the massive bloodshed to come in just a few years. Another incident that fueled the fire toward civil war was the decision. In this Supreme Court case, a slave, whose master had relocated to the North and then died, sued for his freedom. The Court decided that slaves were property forever and should be returned to the estate of their master s families, and that they had no right to sue in court. In fact the Missouri Compromise meant nothing because slavery could exist anywhere. This angered many abolitionists like who was so extreme that he hatched a plan to free the slaves himself and raided a federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Va. When Brown was hanged for sedition against the government, the abolitionists made him a for their cause. This angered the South who saw him as a terrorist who threatened their lifestyle. was elected president in 1860, became the first state to leave the Union. Between and the Nation found itself embroiled in a. The South, also called the, began the War when South Carolina fired the first shots at. President immediately called for volunteers and the War was underway. The advantages the had were a much higher, a system of for transportation and diversified that could produce a variety of goods. The South had better, knew their land and could fight a War. The early years of the war favored the. As the war wore on, the President eventually issued the giving the war a purpose to end slavery. This was directed at the states in rebellion so did not include the. The Turning Points of the War came in the battles of and. General was able to take control of the entire River and cut the Confederacy in. At more soldiers lost their lives than in any battle in history. The tide started to turn for the Union and they adopted a policy of when General marched from to the, destroying everything in sight. In 1865 General Robert was forced to surrender at courthouse in Virginia in 1865. 3
Reconstruction Introduction Reconstruction was the attempt by the Federal (National) Government to readmit the Southern states back into the United States after the Civil War. Reconstruction was shaped by President Abraham Lincoln who believed in reconciliation (forgiveness) and that preserving the union was more important than punishing the south. During Reconstruction the south was divided into five military districts and Southern military leaders were not allowed to vote or hold office. Northerners who went south after the Civil War to help former slaves or help the south rebuild were called Carpetbaggers by southerners who believed they were there just to make money. However, southern General Robert E. Lee urged southerners to reconcile with north and reunite as Americans when some wanted to continue the fight. Instead of fighting the North again, Lee later became President of Washington College (which is now known as Washington and Lee University). African American rights were the focus of many Reconstruction laws. Many southern states had created Black Codes, laws that limited the rights of African Americans in the south. Some of these laws forced African Americans to sign labor (work) contracts. Those that did not sign could be arrested and forced to work for no pay. African American writer Fredrick Douglas worked to achieve civil rights for all people and for constitutional amendments that guaranteed voting rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 said all people born in the United States are citizens and should have equal rights. Three Amendments to the Constitution were passed that guaranteed the rights of African Americans. The 13th Amendment banned slavery in the U.S. and its territories. The 14th Amendment gave citizenship to all people born in the United States. The 14th Amendment also gave all citizens equal rights. The 15th Amendment a person could not be denied the vote based on race or the fact they used to be slaves. During Reconstruction many African Americans were elected to serve in government. African Americans were helped by the Freedmen s Bureau, a government agency that helped former slaves find work and get an education. Northern troops were sent south to make sure the Reconstruction laws and amendments were put into effect. A close Presidential Election in 1876 ended Reconstruction. In order to be President, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes made a deal with Southern Democrats that Northern troops would be removed from the south. Without the support of the Federal Government, Reconstruction policies (laws and government instructions) ended in 1877. 1. Highlight or underline statements that are correct, make an X over statements that are NOT correct. The purpose of Reconstruction was to bring the southern states back into the United States. Southern military leaders were allowed to vote and hold office during Reconstruction. The Freedmen s Bureau helped former slaves find work and get an education. Northerners who went south during Reconstruction were called scalawags by southern whites. To be president, Rutherford B. Hayes told Northern troops to stay in the South the support Reconstruction. Northern troops were sent to the South to support Reconstruction and protect African Americas. 2. How did these people contribute to Reconstruction efforts? Abraham Lincoln: Frederick Douglas: Robert E. Lee: 4
Reconstruction Amendments The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States. It read, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude...shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." When the Civil War began in 1861, President Lincoln's professed goal was the restoration of the Union. But early in the war, the Union began keeping escaped slaves rather than returning them to their owners, so slavery essentially ended wherever the Union army was victorious. In September 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in areas that were still in rebellion against the Union. This measure opened the issue of what to do about slavery in border states that had not seceded or in areas that had been captured by the Union before the proclamation. In 1864, an amendment abolishing slavery passed the Senate but died in the House of Representatives as Democrats, typically from confederate southern state, rallied in the name of states' rights. Lincoln won a second Presidential term in the election of 1864, which also brought Republican majorities in both houses, so it appeared the amendment was headed back to Congress for passage when the new Republican lead Congress convened in March 1865. Lincoln preferred that the amendment receive bipartisan support--some Democrats indicated support for the measure, but many still resisted. The amendment passed 119 to 56, seven votes above the necessary two-thirds majority. Several Democrats abstained from voting, but the 13th Amendment was sent to the states for ratification, which came in December 1865. With the passage of the amendment, the institution that had indelibly shaped American history and had started the Civil War was finally eradicated. Thirteenth Amendment Developing a Deeper Understanding 1. In what year was the 13 th Amendment to the Constitution ratified? 2. According to the article, what was the single greatest change created by the Civil War? 3. Outline President Lincoln s goal for the United States? 4. Describe the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation: 5. What enabled the Thirteenth Amendment to be ratified? 6. Critical Thinking: What do you think America would be like today if the Democrats had won the 1864 election? 5
The Fourteenth amendment (1868) to the Constitution of the United States granted citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans and slaves who had been emancipated after the American Civil War. These newly freed persons were to be included under the umbrella phrase all persons born or naturalized in the United States. This so-called Reconstruction Amendment prohibited the states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law and from denying anyone within a state's jurisdiction equal protection under the law. The amendment also prohibited former civil and military office holders who had supported the Confederacy from again holding any state or federal office. Moreover, the amendment upheld the national debt while exempting the federal government and state governments from any responsibility for the debts incurred by the rebellious Confederate States of America. Finally, the last section, mirroring the approach of the Thirteenth Amendment, provided for enforcement of the new law by federal troops. Fourteenth Amendment Developing a Deeper Understanding 1. In what year was the 14 th Amendment to the Construction ratified? 2. According to the article, what was the main purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment? 3. What was the nickname for the Fourteenth Amendment? 4. Complete the following statement: The Fourteenth Amendment prohibited the states from depriving any person of 5. In addition to granting citizenship, what other actions did the Fourteenth Amendment grant? A. B. C. 6. Critical Thinking: Explain your support or opposition to the statement that all persons born in the United States are entitled to citizenship? 6
The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified on February 03, 1870. The Amendment guaranteed that the right to vote could not be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The amendment supported and followed the passage of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments, which abolished slavery and guaranteed citizenship, respectively, to African Americans. The passage of the amendment and its subsequent ratification meant that African American men were legally able to vote in government elections. American Women, on the other hand, regardless of color, were still denied the right to vote. Women would not receive that right until the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, Women s Suffrage, in 1920. Fifteenth Amendment Developing a Deeper Understanding 1. In what year was the 15 th Amendment to the Constitution ratified? 2. According to the article, the Fifteenth Amendment guaranteed that the right to vote could not be denied based on what conditions? 3. Who were not granted the right to vote under the Fifteenth Amendment? 4. Even after the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, what still hindered many African American men from voting? 5. Critical Thinking: Explain your position Since it is now legal for all American citizens to vote in government elections, do you support or oppose the theory that says: It is your American duty to vote 7
Reconstruction Plans With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and for his orphan--do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. This is what President Abraham Lincoln said to the nation after the war. He wanted to put the country back together and make sure all the differences that could be worked out were worked out. His plan included the following: 10 percent of Southerners in each state had to swear an oath of loyalty to the United States before it was allowed to be a state again. Southern states had to accept the emancipation of slaves. All southerners would be given a full pardon (would be forgiven)- even those who supported and fought for the Confederacy Lincoln did this to send the message that the United States wanted the South to be part of it again. Lincoln s entire Plan was not used during Reconstruction because he was assassinated before it could be put into place. After Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Andrew Johnson became president of the United States. He put Lincoln's plan into action, but changed it a bit. He still wanted to make sure that whatever happened in the South did not lead to more hostility and very angry Americans. Johnson supported Lincoln's belief that if real peace was not achieved, there would be major problems between the North and the South in the future. The parts Johnson added were: Wealthy Southerners had to be pardoned by the President (forgiven by the President himself!) before they could vote or hold a public office (mayor, representative, governor). Southern states had to ratify (accept) the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery Johnson's plan did not do a very good job of protecting the newly freed slaves. Because of this racism and discrimination spread rapidly through the South. The Radical Republicans (Johnson's opponents) grew in popularity because of this. The Radical Republicans were the men opposing Lincoln and Johnson. Unlike the President and former President, the Radical Republicans wanted to punish the South for causing the war to happen and make sure there was no question that the things the North had decided during the war was the way it was going to be from then on. The Radical Republicans' Plan: 50 Percent of Southerners in each state had to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States in order to be considered a state again. The states did not have to vote to accept emancipation; their courts simply had to enforce it no matter what. The Radical Republicans wanted the Union Army to stay in the South for a long time to make sure that everything was going as they planned. Just keeping the Union soldiers down there after the war angered many people in the South, which kept them from really accepting what they were told to do. 8
Use the Information from page 8 about Lincoln s, Johnson s, and the Radical Republican s Reconstruction plans to complete the following Venn Diagram. List as many pieces of information (minimum 2 per box) in each box below. In the center box list ANY similarities the three plans have. Lincoln s Plan: Johnson s Plan: Similarities: Radical Republican s Plan: 9
Jim Crow Laws, Black Codes, and Poll Taxes As the country tried to establish a plan for reconstruction, ex-confederates were being elected to state and local government offices. As they gained power, they began to pass laws limited what freed African Americans could do, these laws became known as black codes. Under black codes, African Americans could not serve on juries, own guns, or gather in groups after dark. Under black codes, African Americans could have only certain jobs, like farm work, could be arrested if they could not prove they had a job, and had to sign labor contracts for a year at a time. After Reconstruction ended, African Americans lost many of their new rights. Southern states passed what were called Jim Crow laws. These laws discriminated against African Americans in all parts of their life. They could not work in factories. They could not eat in the same places as whites, or shop in the same stores. African American children could not go to the same schools as white children. There were whites only and blacks only cars on railroad trains. There were even whites only and blacks only drinking fountains. One of the most important civil rights that African Americans lost was their right to vote. Southern states passed laws that took away this right. STOP and Think Activity South Laws set up the following - Poll Tax: a voter had to pay a tax to vote. - Literacy Test: a voter had to be able to read and write. White officials decided who could read and write. - Grandfather Clause: No man could vote if his grandfather had not been able to vote before the Civil War. Your task: Explain how each law discriminated against or separated African Americans. (Use full sentences and full ideas to explain yourself) Poll Tax: Literacy Test: Grandfather Clause: 10
Plessy v. Ferguson The Lawsuit Even though slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865, racial discrimination did not end with it. States continued to make laws that blocked equal opportunities for African Americans. Homer Plessy decided to test one of those laws to see if he could change it. Plessy lived in Louisiana and, like many people there, he was a Creole; he was not completely white and he was not completely African American. However, in the eyes of the law, he was African American. On June 7, 1892, Homer Plessy sat in the section of a railroad car that was for 'whites only.' As he expected, he was arrested after he refused to move. Judge John Howard Ferguson of Louisiana ruled against Plessy's argument that making him sit in a separate part of the train violated his constitutional rights. Plessy then took his case to the Supreme Court. The Ruling Plessy's lawyer argued that Louisiana's Separate Car Act violated the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship rights to anyone born in the United States. It also says that no laws should be made to take away the rights of U.S. citizens. The Supreme Court disagreed with Plessy's lawyer. Supreme Court Justice Henry Brown said that even though the 14th Amendment may have intended to make African Americans and white people 'equal before the law,' it did not necessarily intend for the two races to be 'equal in society.' According to Justice Brown, whites should not be forced to be in the same public places as African Americans. The Impact Plessy v. Ferguson allowed 'separate but equal,' also known as segregation, to become law in the United States. After this, Jim Crow laws, which were a system of laws meant to discriminate against African Americans, spread across the U.S. For decades, any type of public facility could be legally separated into 'whites only' and 'blacks only.' That meant that buses, water fountains, lunch counters, restrooms, movie theaters, schools, courtrooms, and even the United States Army could all be segregated. Rules and laws were also made to prevent African Americans from voting. Even though the law stated that the separate facilities had to be equal, most of the time they were not. White people almost always had access to the best facilities, especially in schools. Civil rights activists protested against segregation in the 1950s and 1960s and were often met with violence from white people who did not want the laws to change. Think about the following situations. Do you think the Supreme Court of the United States considered all possible situations when they rendered their decision in Plessy v. Ferguson? Discuss each situation with your partner(s) and be prepared to share your thoughts. A black woman is thirsty, so she walks over to the water fountains. There is one fountain for blacks and one for whites. The black woman uses the fountain for whites because the other one is out of order. A black man has been traveling for many hours. He stops at a diner to eat and use the restroom. This diner only serves whites. In order to eat, the black man must travel another two hours to another diner that serves blacks. The black man cannot wait two hours to use the restroom, so he uses the diner's restroom despite the posted signs. A black seven-year-old girl must walk two miles to the nearest school for blacks even though there is a school two blocks away. The school two blocks away is only for white students. The girl's parents worry about their daughter walking such a long distance to and from school every day. 11
Effects of Reconstruction on American life 12
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Let s Review 13 th Amendment Reconstruction Explain your sharecropping experience: 1. 2. Lincoln s Plan: The Southern states had to 14 th Amendment 3. Plessyy v. Ferguson 15 th Amendment Johnson s Plan: Issue Outcome What is the difference between a carpetbagger and a scalawag? Radical Republican s Plan Poll Tax: Define Reconstruction: Literacy test: 14 Grandfather Clause