Eric Foner, The Story of American Freedom The Founding Fathers created a nation committed to liberty, but resting on slavery The idea of freedom as a universal ideal did not come from the Founding Fathers “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom” – Benjamin Franklin The definition of freedom has changed and expanded throughout history by demands of excluded groups to be included The struggles of excluded people raised the idea of equality to a central place in the evolving definitions of freedom

“We all declare for liberty, but in using the same word, we do not mean the same thing.” -Abraham Lincoln, 1864

During the Civil War (1861-1865), both the North (Union) and the South (Confederacy) believed that their cause represented freedom

The Confederacy fought in the name of freedom: Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy, called slavery the “cornerstone of the Confederacy” White southerners who fought for the Confederacy defended their notion of freedom to mean local self-government, opportunities to advance economically, security of property (land and slaves), and resistance to the North’s attempts to “enslave” the South A Confederate officer in 1862 did not see any problem, irony or contradiction when he stated that “I am engaged in the glorious cause of liberty and justice.”

The Union fought in the name of freedom: A Union soldier wrote in 1863: “The maintenance of our free institutions must of necessity result in the freedom of every human being over whom the stars and stripes wave.” With the Emancipation Proclamation, more Northerners became convinced that they had to destroy slavery to preserve the union and secure liberty Northerners believed that people should enjoy the fruits of their labor In 1862, Abraham Lincoln told Congress “In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve.”

The Union victory in the Civil War meant that their definition of freedom would become the nation’s definition of freedom

Crises at the End of the Civil War The United States in 1865: Crises at the End of the Civil War Military Casualties More dead, wounded and maimed than ANY other war in U.S. history According to Drew Gilpin Faust, at least 750,000 dead; nearly 400,000 wounded and maimed Physical and Economic Crises Constitutional Crisis Political Crisis Social Crisis Psychological Crisis

Confusion and Devastation

Assassination of abraham lincoln

Reconstruction (1865-1877) The government’s attempt to rebuild the federal union and reincorporate the South after the Civil War Andrew Johnson’s plan for Reconstruction? Johnson Fast-Tracks Re-entry of the South Why does his plan fall short of Congress’ expectations? Congress passes civil rights legislation in 1866 By 1867, Congress enacts its own version of Reconstruction. What are the terms? Does the Freedmen’s Bureau meet the needs of all freed people?

Consider the differences between Johnson’s vision of Reconstruction versus the Radical Republicans’ Plan!

Southern Resistance – “Redeemers” White southerners oppose, circumvent new laws, regulations, and requirements Black Codes Violence and organized riots Emergence of the Klan

Bargain of 1877 Disputed presidential election of 1876: Republican (Hayes) and the Democrat (Tilden) In exchange for giving Hayes the election, Democrats demand that the 14th and 15th Amendments not be enforced in the South, and that federal troops be removed (something that Tilden would have done anyhow – see Election of 1876) Impacts on enforcement of 14th and 15th Amendments Necessary compromise? Betrayal? Or both?

Reconstruction: Success? Failure? Or both? Broader Perspective

Aftermath? Long Struggle for Citizenship and the Right to Vote James Allen Without Sanctuary http://withoutsanctuary.org/