Reconstruction What needs to be answered? –What conditions should be placed upon the southern states before permitting them to return? –Which branch of government (executive or legislative) should determine the conditions? –What political, economic, and social rights should be granted to blacks, and how should these rights be enforced?

Lincoln’s Plan – Based on... Southern states had not left the Union to begin with Rebellion was the work of individuals Felt Recon. was a presidential power because the Constitution granted the president the power to pardon Reconstruction should be lenient to regain loyalty

Lincoln’s Plan - Proposal All southerners (except high officials) would be pardoned upon taking an oath of allegiance After 10% took the oath, the state is permitted to form a state govt. Called the 10 Percent Plan – three states (LA, Tenn., Ark.) were readmitted before his death

Congress’ Reaction NOT pleased! They offered up the Wade-Davis Bill which required a majority of a state’s white male citizens to pledge loyalty Lincoln killed it with a pocket veto (Lincoln let it sit until Congress adjourned)

Johnson’s Plan Johnson was a pro-Union Democrat put on the ticket to bring about national unity; liked the drink too! He offered pardons to most Southerners who pledged allegiance and agreed to the abolition of slavery; accepted the govt. of every southern state that repudiated secession

Congressional Concerns Infringing on the Powers of Congress – Article IV (conquered territories) Being too lenient – the South must pay Endangering Republican influence Abandoning Blacks –Black Codes emerged –Terrorist organizations developed

Congressional Reconstruction Civil Rights Act of 1866 –Weaken Black Codes (enforcement option) Freedman’s Bureau Act of 1866 –Extended the life of the agency Fourteenth Amendment –“equal protection” and “due process” First Reconstruction Act –Divided South into 5 military districts

The Divided South There now exists three conditions for readmission –Elect a new government open to blacks and whites –Rewrite the state constitution with guarantees of black suffrage –Had to ratify the 14 th Amendment

Congressional attempts to check Johnson Radical Reps. felt Johnson might try to use his authority over the military to control Reconstruction Passed the Tenure of Office Act (over Johnson’s veto) – Senate must give permission to remove any official whose appointment they approved The test – Johnson fires Sec. of War

Why this Matters Take a guess. What do you think would have happened if Johnson’s impeachment had resulted in a conviction in the Senate? ANSWER: Johnson’s acquittal upholds the principle of Presidential independence of Congress

Reconstruction Governments Carpetbaggers – northerners who came south –E–Eager to help freedmen –S–Seeking own business or political gain Scalawags – southerners who assisted the carpetbaggers or supported the changes –M–Many hoped to take power from the planter class –S–Some wanted to end the South’s reliance on ag.

Blacks – with the 13 th, 14 th, and then 15 th Amendments, former slaves begin to participate –Around 700 African Americans in state legislatures

Responses to Freedom Possibility of owning land Forming their own churches Attending school – some 4,000 set up by the Freedman’s Bureau Moving – to the north or out west Regardless, most African Americans stayed in the South. Why?

Economic Troubles Freedmen couldn’t buy land Sharecropping was the only option Tenant farming at best Both kept poor blacks, and whites, in continual debt

Southern Whites Regain Control What allowed this to happen? Ku Klux Klan and other organizations –F–Federal Increased number of Southern white voters –1–1872 Amnesty Act Waning Northern interest –T–The issues changed

Reconstruction Ends Election of 1876 (Compromise) Disputed election results pitting Samuel Tilden (D) against Rutherford B. Hayes (R) Electoral commission gave the disputed votes to Hayes Democrats accepted it after the Republicans pledged to pull out military

Lasting + Effects of Recon. Obvious extension of constitutional guarantees Beginnings of education for blacks Rebuilding did begin Reconstruction govts. were more liberal

Lasting – Effects of Recon. Carpetbag governments were corrupt Local discrimination of blacks The Solid South ?