Reconstructing the Nation, 1863-1877

The Term “Reconstruction” The period immediately following the US Civil War North set the terms of readmission of the Southern States The South had to change it’s political, legal, & economic systems

The Process began in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln Lincoln’s 10% plan Lenient An attempt to weaken the South Radical Republicans don’t like his plan The Wade Davis Bill – much harsher Lincoln “pocket veto” Lincoln and Congress deadlocked

Lincoln Assassinated 14 April 1865 Ford’s Theater John Wilkes Booth

Andrew Johnson, 1865-1869 A Southern Democrat Tennessee Seemed like he could work with Congress Congress wants to remake southern society Remove the old aristocrats from power Johnson: a man of humble birth – poor Resents the southern aristocracy

Andrew Johnson was a weak man He craved acceptance from the southern aristocracy Stubborn Drank too much Racist – white supremacist

Andrew Johnson’s political ideas States rights Federal government has limited power States have all powers not listed in the Constitution Strict Construction Constitution is limited Nothing is “implied”

Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction May, 1865 – very lenient Minimal requirements for readmission Former Confederate states comply

Southerners took advantage of Johnson’s leniency Refused to say they were wrong to leave Some refuse to ratify the 13th Amendment Mississippi created a militia Johnson issued 13,500 pardons Former Confederate politicians and soldiers were elected to high office The South was being run by same people who ran the Confederacy

Johnson did NOTHING for the former slaves Freedmen did NOT get . . . the vote – suffrage civil rights schools economic protection Freedmen subjected to violent attacks

The Black Codes (1865-1866) A new set of laws designed to . . . ❶ Control black labor by reestablishing plantation discipline ❷ Limit the freedom of African Americas. These laws applied only to black people

No equal justice for the former slaves Southern courts routinely . . . ☹ disallowed black testimony against whites ☹ acquitted whites charged with violence against blacks. Southerners don’t guarantee freedmen basic civil rights: ✍ the right to choose their own employment, ✍ the right to assemble and hold meetings, ✍ the right to petition the government, ✍ the right to move from place to place. Whites reestablish slavery without calling it slavery

Radical Republicans want to help former slaves Pursue their own economic self-interest “Free Labor” To compete fairly in the labor market Choose their employment Climb the economic ladder

New Session of Congress begins Republicans reverse Johnson’s policies Representative Thaddeus Stevens Senator Charles Sumner The Freedmen’s Bureau Bill -- February 1866 The Civil Rights Act – March 1866

Helping African Americans The Freedmen’s Bureau Bill The Civil Rights Act of 1866 Extends the life of war- time social welfare agency Help black adjust to freedom Provide help for former laves First definition of national citizenship ALL persons are entitled to equal protection under the law

Johnson vetoes both bills Because he’s a stubborn racist Because of his states rights philosophy Congress overrides both vetoes Begins a big fight President Johnson Republican-controlled Congress

Republicans win the battle . . . . Johnson is impeached by the House of Representatives February 24, 1868 Violating the Tenure of Office Act Senate does not convict/remove him

13th Amendment (1865) Was Emancipation Proclamation “temporary” ? 13th stops states from reinstating slavery 13th means slavery is dead forever.

The 14th Amendment (1868) Defined citizenship – birthright citizenship Made American-born blacks citizens Placed civil rights under federal protection National guarantee of equality before the law The most significant political act of the Reconstruction period

The 15th Amendment (1870) Black suffrage Guarantee blacks fundamental rights An act of principle An act of political expedience Blacks would vote Republican An alternative to permanent military occupation