RECONSTRUCTION THROUGH MID 1870’S

LINCOLN’S PLAN PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY AND RECONSTRUCTION During Civil War, December 8, 1863 Lincoln hoped this would be an easier way for South to get out of war and still save their pride as well as shortening the war Southern states must accept EMANCIPATION Southern states could rejoin the Union if 10% of the 1860 electorate would pledge loyalty to the US Southern states must rewrite their constitutions in a way that abolished slavery

FREEDMEN’S BUREAU MARCH 1865 Set up to help former slaves as well as poor southern whites Greatest success was in education where an estimated 200,000 African Americans how to read Confiscated southern land was to be given to former slaves (40 acres and a mule plan) Almost never happened Former slaves remained economically vulnerable and where more often than not taken advantage of by whites

WADE – DAVIS PLAN Plan was much stricter than Lincoln’s At least 50% of the states 1860 electorate must take a strict oath of allegiance to the US Any persons who aided the confederacy must be excluded from holding new government positions Lincoln pocket vetoed Wade Davis Plan

PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON Johnson was Vice President when Lincoln was assassinated. Democrat born in NC and lived in Tennessee Mostly in agreement with Lincoln’s plan but a little stricter States would have to ratify 13 TH Amendment Confederate leaders and wealthy land owners (more than $20,000 in taxable property) could apply for a presidential pardon Most who applied received pardons and this angered north and Radical Republicans After short period of time many of the former wealthy planters class re-established control of southern governments CSA VP Stevens was even elected to the senate

13 TH AMENDMENT AND BLACK CODES 13 TH Amendment abolished slavery Former slaves had no home, no job, no food, no skills other than farming, and no education Many became sharecroppers which was another form of exploitation Sharecropping – permitted use of land with percentage of crop as payment for labor Southern defiance through Black Codes Helped create a stable cheap labor force Prohibited AA’s from renting land or borrowing money to purchase land AA’s had to sign labor contracts (without ability to read or cipher/math) There were penalties for not having a contract Could not vote or serve on a jury

BATTLE SHAPING UP BETWEEN JOHNSON AND CONGRESS Congress (especially Radical Republicans) angry with Johnson over his plan allowing for pardons of former Confederate leaders being able to serve as delegates again Preparing to take over

CONGRESSIONAL PLAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION Southern delegates would not be allowed back in congress Johnson refused to pass extension of Freedmen’s Bureau Act Civil Rights Act of 1866 AA’s become citizens against Dred Scott decision Black Codes abolished Johnson vetoes Bill Congress overrides presidential veto for 1 st time in US history

14 TH AMENDMENT All persons born in the US are citizens, including former slaves against Dred Scott decision States must give equal protection under the law including Due Process New African American citizens must be given the right to vote

RECONSTRUCTION ACT OF 1867 South was to be divided into 5 Military Districts Union generals would take control of districts Disenfranchisement of former Confederate officials and governments Re-admittance States must write a new Constitution Give suffrage to African American males Must ratify the 13 TH and 14 Th Amendments to US Constitution

1 ST PRESIDENT IMPEACHED Congress upset with President Johnson over reconstruction and vetoes Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act 1867 Bill created to protect Republicans Cabinet Members Johnson removes Sec. of State Edwin Stanton in 1868 Congress votes to IMPEACH President Johnson for violating 1867 Act Johnson avoids removal in Senate trial by 1 vote

15 TH AMENDMENT Universal Male Suffrage Sorry girls, not even close for females (white or black)

TEMPORARY NEW SOUTHERN ORDER African American men become deciding factors in the southern vote AA Hiram Revels even takes Jefferson Davis’ former seat in US Senate Republicans win control of some southern state governments Republican coalitions made up of African American men voters Scalawags or southern whites going along so as to profit from new alliances Carpetbaggers or northerners who came south to profit and help out in the south

KU KLUX KLAN The KKK was formed as a social group in Tennessee in Former Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest probably served as the Grand Wizard, or overall leader, of the Klan and certainly played a significant role in its organized spread in early The Klan's organized terrorism began most notably on March 31, 1868, when Republican organizer George Ashburn was murdered in Columbus, Georgia.Columbus Most Klan action was designed to intimidate black voters and white supporters of the Republican Party. Increasingly during 1868 these actions became violent, ranging from whippings of black women perceived as insolent to the assassination of Republican leaders. Klan like violence was also used to control freed people's social behavior, but with less success. Black churches and schools were burned, teachers were attacked, and freed people who refused to show proper deference were beaten and killed.

1870’S Force Acts of 1870 and 1871 Called for Federal Troops to be sent to the south to help stop resistance and the KKK. Civil rights Act of 1875 Gave AA’s equal access to public schools. AA’s have the right to serve on a jury. Though the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was rarely enforced, it was overturned by the Supreme Court in By the Mid-1870’s the Congress and the Federal Government had lost interest in using its power to monitor the South.

CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTIONS SHORT TERM SUCCESSES Reunited the United States Gave former slaves some political opportunities. Temporarily rearranged the relationships between whites and blacks in the South.