Reconstruction

Reconstruction A policy to reunify, restore, and “reconstruct” the nation

Major Problem Who decides HOW we will reconstruct our nation?

Lincoln’s Plan Reconcile NOT punish Offered a pardon to all Southerners Take an oath of loyalty to the United States (10%) Accept thirteenth amendment

Lincoln v. Radical

Radical Republican’s Plan Thaddeus Stevens No Reconciliation Three Main Goals: Confederate leaders cannot return to power Republican Party in the South Help African Americans to achieve political equality (right to vote)

How can we reconstruct the Union? Radicals Lincoln How can we reconstruct the Union?

Compromise? Wade-Davis Bill Congress Passes Majority of white males pledge allegiance Abolish slavery Reject all debts No Confederate political leaders Congress Passes President Vetoes with a Pocket Veto

Congressional Reconstruction

Johnson’s Plan “Restoration” Program – Proclamation of Amnesty Pardon ALL* Confederates (with oath) Return their property *excluded military officers & anyone owning property over $20,000

Johnson’s Plan Cont. Model for Restoration – Proclamation for North Carolina Need to: Call a Constitutional Convention, Ratify the 13th Amendment, reject all Civil War Debts Angers Congress (all done while Congress was not in session)

Reactions to Johnson’s Plan Many former Confederate officers were elected to Congress Black Codes: Severely limited the rights of African Americans in the South

Military Reconstruction Division of South into 5 Military Districts Led by Union generals In order to join Union: Constitutional Convention Right to vote: every male regardless of race Ratify the 14th Amendment (citizenship)

Disagreements with Johnson Congress could override any veto of Johnson’s Johnson could refuse to enforce the laws passed Secretary of War Stanton agrees with Congress What does Congress do? Pass the Tenure of Office Act Requires Congress to approve the removal of any government official Fires Stanton Brings up Impeachment – only one vote short of conviction

Republican Rule Carpetbaggers – Northern intruders (not all bad) Teachers went South to help educate whites and African Americans Scalawags – White Southerners who worked with the Republicans and LIKED Reconstruction

Republican Reforms in the South Repealed Black Codes State Offices Elected Established Hospitals Established Orphanages Rebuilt Roads Rebuilt Railways Rebuilt Bridges Provided money for new railroads and industries Established a system of public schools Think back to Presentations… Not all positive!

Reconstruction Collapses

Election of Ulysses S. Grant GREAT WAR HERO!!!! But… Little political experience President carries out law Congress develops policy

TURNING POINT: Compromise of 1877 Election of 1876 **Pulled Federal Troops out of the South**

Important Vocabulary Reconstruction Military Reconstruction Act Radical Republicans Tenure of Office Act Pocket Veto Carpetbagger Freedmen’s Bureau Compromise of 1877 Black Codes Sharecropper Thirteenth Amendment Fourteenth Amendment Fifteenth Amendment