Reconstruction 1865-1877

Intro to the “Reconstruction Era” [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nowsS7pMApI The Era of Reconstruction is the period of time immediately following the Civil War, when Americans were attempting to essentially start over and rebuild as a nation (particularly in the South)

Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan Before he died (and before the war had ended), President Lincoln devised a plan for reconstruction The Confederates: They never “really” seceded from the Union, thus, they didn’t need readmission Lincoln’s “10% Plan”: If a state had at least 10 percent of their qualified voters from 1860 to have taken a “loyalty oath,” then they could organize their own state government (no federal interference on Democrats being replaced by Republicans)

Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptXRFHulcZQ Johnson came to the office of the presidency after Lincoln’s death in 1865 Johnson was actually a Southern Democrat, but the Republicans chose him anyway to run for office in the previous election (1864) Johnson = A racist (“**** the negroes”) His plan of reconstruction caused wealthy, Southern planters a lot of problems Early in his political career he stated, “Some day I will show the stuck-up aristocrats who is running the country.”

Congressional Reconstruction Plan Congress and President Johnson held sharp disagreements—leading Congress to override Johnson’s veto on the “Freedmen’s Bureau” bill The 14th Amendment was passed in 1866—this made African-Americans official citizens Congress passed four “Reconstruction Acts” to try to settle disagreements among Americans All states were “readmitted” into the Union by 1870

The Impeachment of President Johnson After fighting with Congress over the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill, the Civil Rights Bill, and the Reconstruction Acts (having all of his vetoes overruled), the atmosphere was intense Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which prevented the President from dismissing civil officers without the approval of the Senate President Johnson dismissed Edwin M. Stanton, leading to his impeachment He did, however, finish his term in office

Election of 1868 Ulysses S. Grant (the North’s war hero) was elected president in 1868 He served two terms, though they were tarnished by scandals that he probably did not condone—for example, the “Tweed Ring” (15 million dollars was stolen from NYC’s treasury)

The Compromise of 1877 The recently elected Rutherford B. Hayes issues the Compromise of 1877 It removed federal troops from the South It required Hayes to have at least one Southerner in his presidential “cabinet” It promised that federal money would be provided to the South for economic development

The Freedmen, Carpetbaggers, & Scalawags After the Civil War, Slaves became “freedmen” Conflicts between Northerners and Southerners: Carpetbaggers = White Northerners who seemingly took advantage of poor Southerners by traveling to the war-torn South to start a farm. Scalawags = Supporters of Reconstruction. They were viewed by critical Southerners as traitors.

Secret Societies Some Southern, white men reacted to the reconstruction experience by using violent and deadly actions. They targeted African Americans, white Republicans, and Jewish people. Two major “secret societies”: (1) The Ku Klux Klan (2) Knights of the White Camellia [Gang History Link] https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_preju dice/gangcolor/madness.htm

Booker T. Washington [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07cispyOhWQ He was a former slave that wanted to better those of his own race, but to also offer wisdom on reconstruction (a very reasonable and honorable figure) He helped found the Tuskegee Institute, which helped provide African-Americans with literacy skills and other forms of education (particularly in skilled labor)