Reconstruction (7d)

Two Views Presidential Reconstruction Goal was to quickly reunite the nation and not punish the South for the war. The rights of former slaves were not a priority. President Lincoln and Congress had differing views on how Confederate states should be readmitted to the Union. Congressional Reconstruction Led by Radical Republicans, Thaddeus Stevens & Charles Sumner, who wanted to punish the South for the war and focused on guaranteeing civil rights for African Americans.

The War Preserved the Union – Lincoln’s view – one nation, indivisible – prevailed Lincoln’s View of Reconstruction – Secession was illegal – Confederate governments in the South were illegitimate – The states never really left the Union – Reconstruction was a matter of quickly restoring state governments that were loyal to the Union in the Southern states Lincoln’s ViewSecessionists’ View The United States was ONE nation, INDIVISIBLE The United States as a VOLUNTARY association of States

“With malice toward none, with charity for all,...let us strive on to finish the work we are in,...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” –Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address

Ten Percent Plan  Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction in  Southern states could begin to rejoin the Union when ten percent of 1860 voting population took oath.  Angered Republicans in Congress, who thought it was too easy on the South and did not address rights for freedmen.

Assassination April 14, 1865 Five days after Lee’s surrender, Lincoln assassinated at Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln died at the height of his fame and became a martyr. Lincoln’s approach was moderate, but his assassination increased Northern bitterness against the South and allowed Radical Republicans to gain control of Reconstruction.

President Andrew Johnson  Became president after Lincoln’s assassination.  Similar plan for Reconstruction to Lincoln’s except: o Johnson made it more difficult for large property owners to vote. o Eliminated ten percent provision and required the ratification of the 13 th Amendment.  Lincoln and Johnson’s plan worked, but: o Many Confederate officials were included in the new governments (pardoned). o Southern government passed Black Codes- discriminatory laws passed in the South after the Civil War that prohibited African Americans from traveling without permits, carrying weapons, serving on juries, testifying against whites, and marrying white women. o Angered Republicans, ultimately leading to a showdown between Radical Republicans and Johnson. o Johnson not as capable as Lincoln

Radical Republicans Thaddeus StevensCharles Sumner  Radical Republicans were Republicans who were opposed to slavery during the war and were committed to equal rights for freedman after the war over reuniting the country.  Did not agree with the moderate/lenient policies of Lincoln and Johnson.  Dominated Reconstruction after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Congressional Reconstruction  Radical Republicans in Congress were angry about Confederate officials in government and Southern Black Codes.  In response to Lincoln’s lenient Ten Percent Plan, Radical Republicans proposed the Wade-Davis Bill in 1864: o Said Congress, not the President, would be in charge of Reconstruction. o Required a majority (rather than ten percent) take an oath to uphold the Constitution before states could be readmitted to the Union. o Vetoed by Lincoln

Johnson vs. Radical Republicans  Radical Republicans clashed repeatedly with Johnson over the issue of civil rights for freed slaves.  Johnson was eventually impeached by Congress and was nearly removed from office (missed by one vote).  Johnson served the rest of his term and Grant was elected president in 1868.

Radical Republican Legislation Radical Republicans launched a series of acts that were designed to punish the South and ensure the rights of the freedmen. Reconstruction Act of 1867  Divided the South into five military districts, each under the control of a Union general.  States must ratify 14 th Amendment, enforce the Civil Rights Act, and guarantee the vote to African Americans before being readmitted.

The Reconstruction Amendments Three amendments were added to the Constitution during Reconstruction that had a lasting impact on the United States. 13 th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery permanently in the United States. 15 th Amendment (1870): Voting rights were guaranteed regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (former slaves). 14 th Amendment (1868): States were prohibited from denying equal rights under the law to any American Free Citizens Vote

The Shattered South  All Southern states had reentered the Union by  Southern property and infrastructure was destroyed from the war-buildings, railroads, bridges, roads, farmland.  20% of Southern adult males died during the war.  90% of African Americans vote (overwhelmingly support Republicans), leading to Republican dominance in politics.

The Plantation Economy  Most former slaves did not own land, so they were forced to sign labor contracts with planters.  Sharecropping: Workers provided with food and housing in exchange for a large share of crops. Did not raise enough to pay for supplies, thus debt and slavery in all but name.  Tenant Farming: similar to sharecropping, but African- Americans pay rent. Debt had the same effect.

Growing Resistance to Northern Rule  Ku Klux Klan (KKK) formed in Tennessee in o Spreads to every Southern state. o Wanted to ensure Democratic victories in the South. o Goal was to restore white supremacy and prevent African Americans from voting. o KKK and other groups threatened, intimidated, and killed African Americans and those who supported them. Destroyed property, burned churches, schools, and homes.

End of Reconstruction Support for Reconstruction started to fade in the 1870s. Economic concerns (Panic of 1873) and political scandals (Grant administration). Between 1869 and 1875, Democrats took control of most Southern states-redemption (Democratic return to power in the South).

Compromise of 1877 Election of 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes v. Samuel Tilden Hayes wins the Electoral College by one vote, but loses the popular vote.  Compromise: Democrats would allow Hayes to become president if: o North agreed to remove remaining troops from the South o South received money for transcontinental railroad and other internal improvements.  Republicans agreed and Hayes became president.

Compromise of 1877  Significance: o Brought Reconstruction to an end. o Allowed former Confederates who controlled the Democratic Party to regain power in the South. o It opened the door to the “Jim Crow Era” and began a long period in which African Americans in the South were denied the full rights of American citizenship.

Post-Civil War Impact: North and Midwest North and Midwest – Stronger and growing industrial economies – Foundation for industrial, economic boom and emergence of US as a global economic power by the beginning of the 20 th century Railroad – Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad line intensified the westward movement of settlers into the states between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean

Post War Contributions of Key Leaders of the Civil War (7f) Ulysses S. Grant (reconciliation between the North and the South) – Urged radical republicans not to be harsh with former confederates – Opposed retribution directed at the defeated South – Elected president and served during most of Reconstruction – Advocated rights for the freedmen

Postwar Leaders (continued) Robert E. Lee – Urged Southerners to reconcile and rejoin the United States – Served as president of Washington College (Washington and Lee University) – Emphasized the importance of education to the nation’s future

Postwar Leaders (cont) Frederick Douglass (leading spokesman for African Americans) – Supported full equality for African Americans – Advocated for the passage of the 13 th, 14 th, and 15 th Amendments (Civil War Amendments) – Encouraged federal government actions to protect the rights of freedmen in the South – Served as an ambassador to Haiti and in the civil service

Freedmen’s Bureau