Warm-up: What did Presidents Lincoln and Johnson both want in reconstructing the South?

Reconstruction Politics

Political Parties in Congress Most Republicans in Congress were moderates Wanted to restore Southern states to the Union Keep former Confederates out of government Give southern African Americans some civil equalities but not the vote (which many Northerners agreed with) Race riots in Memphis and New Orleans pulled congressional republicans together 1866 elections saw many Northerners voting in “radical” republicans Radical Republicans believed Presidential Reconstruction was a threat to Congressional authority Wanted African Americans to have full citizens’ rights Wanted harsher reorganization of the South Wanted supremacy of federal laws over states’ laws Northern voters sympathized with the radicals

Tenure of Office Act Congress passed act to protect Reconstruction policies and Republican office holders Required Senate approval of a replacement before the President could remove an appointed official Johnson believed it unconstitutional and put it to the test by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (an ally of Radicals) from office House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson because he violated the Tenure of Office act, making “scandalous” speeches and bringing Congress “into disgrace”

Impeachment To impeach a President, House of Reps bring charges and Senate hold hearings Congress brought 11 charges against Johnson, none with any substance Real Congressional grievances against Johnson: 1) Johnson was unfair 2) Johnson governed poorly 3) Johnson tried to halt Congress’s plan for Reconstruction Trial lasted 8 weeks and Johnson escaped conviction by 1 vote short of 2/3 majority needed

Southern Reconstruction Governments Carpetbaggers-Northern Republicans (white and African American) moved to the South to participate in state conventions Scalawags-southern whites who supported the Union cause Used political leverage to draft new state constitutions Republican party became strong in the South because millions of African Americans men started voting

Re-admittance to the Union Once Congress approved the new state constitutions, state legislators Raised taxes to finance new roads, bridges and railroads---rebuild infrastructure Giving all men the right to vote found many African Americans voting for the first time and holding government office positions for the first time

Election of 1868 Radical Republicans nominated Ulysses S. Grant for president Lacked political experience but was a war hero Democrats ran a campaign strategy based on white supremacy Diminishing democratic win Southern Democrats relied on economic threats to keep African Americans from voting Grant won because of African Americans voting Grant’s administration would be filled with corruption but Grant would still get things done

Whiskey Ring Rebellion & Credit Mobilier Activity: Research: Whiskey Ring Rebellion & Credit Mobilier Two major scandals in Grant’s administration Read about the scandals and write a 3-4 sentence summary about each one