Reconstruction Most of the Civil War took place in the Southern US. Reconstruction focused on rebuilding the South, states rejoining the Union and ensuring freedom for African Americans.

Plans to Rebuild Lincoln favored a softer approach to making states rejoin the Union called the Ten Percent Plan that offered Southerners amnesty, but he was killed before he could implement it.

Radical Republicans and Reconstruction Radical Republicans control congress and are tougher on the South than Lincoln. President Johnson calls for “Restoration”: Majority of white males must swear loyalty to the Union. Only those who swear loyalty may vote. Confederate leaders and wealthy landowners have to ask the president personally for a pardon.

Radical R & R Cont. Each state must create a new constitution abolishing slavery before it would be allowed to join the Union. States had to ratify the 13 th,14th and 15 th amendments. By the end of 1865, most states had rejoined the Union but not all had ratified the 14 th and 15 th amendments Former Confederate leaders cannot hold office States who did not comply would be under military control.

African American Rights and Life The government creates the Freedmen’s Bureau to help former slaves with food, clothing, medicine, jobs and education. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 – Overrides the Dred Scott Decision. – First time Congress passed a law that protected racial minorities.

Black Rights and Life Cont. Southern states try to pass Black Codes that would take away some rights from black citizens. Congress overrides theses laws. People thought allowing blacks to vote would help them defend themselves. (15 th amendment) Blacks begin to hold positions in government and Hiram Revels becomes the first African American to serve in the Senate.

Black Rights and Life Cont. Many southern blacks become share croppers. Very little money is made. Jim Crow laws segregated much of the South

Southern Changes Due to economic depression, corruption charges in the Republican Party and amnesty granted to former Confederates, the Democrats take power in the South. Groups like the KKK terrorize blacks and republicans and cause them to not vote or run for office. Democrats pressure and threaten white southerners to vote Democratic.

Southern Changes Cont. Textile, tobacco, iron and steel industries all begin to grow in the South. More factories Northern whites (carpetbaggers) come South to make money in the new economy. When President Hayes is elected he declares Reconstruction is over. The South still has a lot of agriculture and slowly builds debt over time. The days of rich plantation owners is gone.

Important Acts Homestead Act (1862) – Anyone who had not fought against the Union could get free federal land. Dawes Act (1887) – The president could award pieces of Indian tribal land to individual Native Americans if they lived apart from their tribe and became US citizens. Morrill Act (1862) – States could get federal land grants if the land was used to create colleges specializing in agriculture and mechanics (A&M)