Reconstruction
Reconstruction After the war, the South needed to be rebuilt physically, economically, and politically. Reconstruction was the rebuilding of these systems after the war.
Presidential Plan for Reconstruction Lincoln began planning for Reconstruction during the war. Andrew Johnson who succeeded Lincoln carried on his plan: -would offer a general amnesty to all Southerners who took an oath of loyalty and accepted the end of slavery -When 10 percent of the state s voters took the oath, the state could organize a new state government -Lincoln s plan was very lenient and was intended to make it easy for the South to rejoin the Union charity for all, malice towards none.
The Radical Republicans Republicans in Congress offered their own plan for Reconstruction: -Wanted to prevent Confederate leaders from regaining power after the war -Install the Republican Party in the South -Wanted the Federal government to help African Americans by giving them the right to vote The Radical Republican plan was much harsher on the South.
state suicide Charles Sumner Southern states had committed suicide when they secede. Congress was the only one with the power to allow them to become states again. Insists that blacks be guaranteed political and legal equality. Should be educated about those freedoms. Radical Theories conquered provinces Thaddeus Stevens The former Confederate states were conquered territories, and should be treated as such. Punish the South for treatment of blacks. Estates of rebel traitors be given to the freed slaves.
Radical Republican Political Fears fears that white southerners would reject the Republican Party that had waged a war on them, and join Plan by the Radicals to keep power the Democrats. Give voting rights to the fears that southern former slaves, who would Democrats would join surely support the the northern Republicans. Democrats, and place Keep former Confederate the Republicans in the leaders from voting. minority.
Freedmen's Bureau In an effort to help former slaves, or freedmen, on his March to the Sea, General Sherman set aside all abandoned land along the coast for use by former slaves. Congress in an effort to aid the former slaves formed the Freedmen s Bureau. The Bureau was in charge of feeding, clothing and finding jobs for the former slaves The Bureau also played a major role in establishing schools for freedmen.
Morehouse College Founded in 1867 by a former slave with the purpose of training freed slaves how to read and write.
The Civil War Amendments 13th Amendment Passed by Congress in 1865, it banned slavery in the United States. As part of Reconstruction, Southern states had to ratify the 13th Amendment to rejoin the Union
th 14 Amendment Passed by Congress in 1866, the 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized (including former slaves) in the US. It gave all people the right to due process and equal protection. Southern States had to ratify the 14th Amendment in order to rejoin the Union.
th 15 Amendment Ratified in 1870, the 15th Amendment stated that the right to vote can not be denied on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude In essence, the 15th Amendment granted suffrage to the former male slaves. This Amendment however did not include women or Native Americans.
Andrew Johnson s Reconstruction Plan Johnson became President after Lincoln s assassination in 1865 -Johnson plan for Reconstruction was against what the Radical Republicans wanted
Freedmen s Bureau Bill Any person accused of not giving a freed slave their civil rights could be tried in a military court. Johnson vetoes 1. Trial by military courts is a violation of the 5th Amendment. 2. Congress does not have the power to pass laws when 11 states are not present.
Johnson s Reconstruction Plan Johnson began to allow Southern states back into the Union after they ratified the 13th Amendment. Johnson also began to pardon former Southern leaders many of whom were then elected to the US Congress. When Congress reconvened many Radical Republicans were outraged with Johnson s plan.
Johnson s Reconstruction Plan The new Southern governments began to pass black codes in 1865 and 66 which were laws designed to keep African Americans in a state of slavery. The 14th Amendment was passed in response to the black codes: Johnson was opposed to the 14th Amendment. Republicans began to reverse many of Johnson s plans.
Reconstruction Act of 1867 Radical Republicans complete program for Reconstruction. 1. South divided into 5 military districts, with a military governor and federal troops to keep law and order. 2. Confederate leaders could not vote or hold office. 3. Freed slaves could vote and hold office. 4. New state constitutions had to guarantee slaves rights to vote. 5. States must ratify the 14th Amendment.
Johnson s Impeachment Radicals feared that Johnson would not enforce the Reconstruction Act. Tenure of Office Act-1867 President could not dismiss civil officers without Senate consent. Johnson fires Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Former Secretary of State under Lincoln. Johnson felt he could not trust Stanton any longer, and wanted him dismissed.
Johnson s Impeachment House calls for impeachment of Johnson on the grounds that he had disgraced Congress by violating the Tenure of Office Act. Constitution says that impeachment can only be brought in cases of treason or high crimes.
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson Senate holds the trial Final vote- 35 to 19 in favor of Johnson. 2/3rds needed to remove. 1 vote short. Edmund G. Ross of Kansas False charges against Johnson hurt his reputation.
Johnson s Impeachment Johnson remained President, but did not run for re-election in 1868. His reputation was destroyed. Johnson was the 1st President to be impeached.
Assistance to the South Many sympathetic northern humanitarians went south to help supplement the federal government s Reconstruction plans. Teachers and missionaries They are not generally welcome
Carpetbaggers Southern nickname for northerners who came to the South to aid in Reconstruction. Some actually wanted to help, while others came strictly for profit. Name comes from fly-by-night newcomers who carried everything they owned in a suitcase made of carpet.
Scalawags Southern name given to native-born Southerners who cooperated with Northern efforts to reconstruct the South. Many did it as a way to heal the old wounds. Others did it to gain profit.
Reconstruction Governments Northerners manage to capture all the high political offices. Governor and State Senator Mississippi only state to send African-Americans to the United States Senate. Hiram Revels Blanche Bruce
Black Codes Southern laws to regulate the conduct of the freed 4 Restrictions slaves. 1. Could not own a 4 Provisions Could own property. Could sue in court. Could act in court against other blacks. Could legally marry. gun. 2. Could not assemble. 3. Could not start a business. 4. Could not rent farmland.
The Ku Klux Klan Formed in 1866 in an effort to: - fight against Reconstruction - drive out Northern Carpetbaggers - help the Democratic Party regain power in the South * keep African Americans from participating
The Ku Klux Klan Secret organization founded by Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest to frighten black southerners and white sympathizers into staying out of politics. Rode throughout the countryside issuing warnings or burning churches and homes. They were a TERROR organization designed to end Republican governments and terrify/commit violence towards African Americans.
The Ku Klux Klan Military Enforcement Acts Gave President power to use federal troops to control the KKK. Died out in the 1870s
In 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President in a highly contested race. Hayes ordered the withdrawal of all Union troops in the South as part of the Compromise of 1877. After the troops left white Southerners regained control and worked to strengthen segregation. The End of Reconstruction
Questions 1. What were some of the main differences between the Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction plans? 2. What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau? 3. Why was Andrew Johnson impeached? 4. What was the purpose of the black codes? 5. How did the Compromise of 1877 end Reconstruction?