The Post War Reconstruction Era I CAN analyze the political, economic, and social impact of Reconstruction on the nation and identify the reasons why Reconstruction came to an end. I CAN evaluate the degree to which the Civil War and Reconstruction proved to be a test of the supremacy of the national government. Michael Quiñones, NBCT www.socialstudiesguy.com

What does RECONSTRUCTION mean? At the end of the U.S. Civil War the United States was split into two and basically destroyed. After the Confederacy’s surrender President Lincoln wanted to rebuild and reconstruct the nation. Reconstruction=Rebuilding.

Aftershock Discussion Questions [Part 1] [with the student next to you, for 2 minutes, discuss the following questions and be prepared to share with the rest of the class] Click link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIC8ifQlDVY Why do you believe the slave master in the opening scene used such brutality with his freed slaves? Since the slaves in the opening scene outnumbered the slave master why didn’t they just simply “rush” him? Why do you believe the federal government ordered an official period of mourning after President Lincoln died? Why do you believe the woman confronted by the Union troops decided to hang herself rather than comply with the official period of mourning ?

What was the purpose of the Freedmen’s Bureau? Aftershock Discussion Questions [Part 2] [with the student next to you, for 2 minutes, discuss the following questions and be prepared to share with the rest of the class] Click link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si0QubYTW-Q&feature=relmfu Who were the Radical Republicans and why would they be so hated by southerners? What was the purpose of the Freedmen’s Bureau? Why wasn’t President Johnson as big of a supporter of equal rights for freed black as Lincoln? What were the worst effects of the Black codes on black people in the South? [Use specific examples to support your response]

How could the actions of ex-Confederate protestors best be described? Aftershock Discussion Questions [Part 3] [with the student next to you, for 2 minutes, discuss the following questions and be prepared to share with the rest of the class] Click link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXUc0zXbUHY&feature=relmfu What did the march on the Mechanics’ Institute say about the beliefs of the black Civil War veterans who marched? How could the actions of ex-Confederate protestors best be described? Explain your opinion about the Union commander’s decision to declare martial law (complete military control) in New Orleans and if you believe it was justified based on what you saw.

Macro Concepts Micro Concepts Conflict-Issues/problems that can lead to fighting without compromise. Reform-The ability to change something for the better. Power-Authority to control usually by law. Change-Transformation of something from one thing to another. Citizenship-The status, protection and privilege connected to the members of a nation. Nationalism-An extreme sense of pride, patriotism and loyalty to a nation. Sectionalism-Connection and loyalty to a certain region of a nation [ex. South and North].

Reconstruction Plans Lincoln’s Plan of Reconstruction-In order to reconcile with the South Lincoln suggested the 10 percent plan which allowed Confederate states back into the Union if 10 % of the voters swore allegiance to the Union. All Southerners were granted amnesty except high ranking members of the Confederacy. Thaddeus Stevens’ Congressional Plan of Reconstruction-Called a Radical Republican because he and his supporters wanted to prevent former Confederates from regaining power. His plan forced Southern states to accept black voting rights by passing the 14th and 15th Amendments . Johnson’s Plan of Reconstruction-Built on Lincoln’s Plan and required [A] a loyalty oath [B] excluded high ranking Confederates [C] Southern states had to ratify 13th Amendment.

Freedmen’s Bureau The Freedmen’s Bureau was created immediately after the end of the Civil War. It was a federal government agency funded by tax money. The mission of the agency was to create homes and places for displaced slaves to live. Freed slaves were given land abandoned by former Southern slave holders. Schools were created for freed slaves, job training and education was made available for the newly freed slaves.

President Johnson’s Impeachment Tenure of Office Act-A law passed by Congress in 1866 to prevent the President of the United States from having the power to fire government officials without the approval of the U.S. Senate. The law was passed despite Johnson’s veto. Johnson fired his Secretary of War in defiance of the Tenure of Office Act [the firing was not approved by the Senate]. An impeachment trial was held but the Senate voted not to remove the president by one vote.

Carpetbaggers, Scalawags and the Ku Klux Klan Carpetbaggers were Northerners who came South to take advantage of economic opportunities. The term was considered negative because they were hated by Southerners who felt exploited [used and taken advantage of]. Scalawags were Southerners who complied with federal laws and were considered traitors to fellow Southerners because they supported Reconstruction. As a reaction to federal pressure to give equal rights and freedoms to blacks a terror group called the Ku Klux Klan formed to threaten and reverse gains made by freed blacks.

Black Codes As a measure of retaliation and in response to the Union’s strict reconstruction requirements Southern states passed racist, anti-black laws. Free blacks had strict restrictions placed on them in the work place, job training, schools and in ordinary situations such as walking on public sidewalks which was forbidden.

Sharecroppers and Tenant Farmers Freed slaves usually had very few job skills other than farming because they had mostly been farm hands. Because many free blacks did not own their own land they were forced to become sharecroppers or tenant farmers. These jobs kept free blacks in poverty. Sharecroppers-farm an owner’s land and give a large share [percentage] of crops as rental payment. Tenant farmers-same as above but the farmer also lives on the landlord’s land.

Jim Crow Laws In order to preserve the worst parts of the Southern culture [way of life] racist laws were passed to segregate [separate] blacks and whites in public places. Blacks who tried to use public facilities such as water fountains, buses and schools could be arrested and fined. Some times violators were lynched [kidnapped and hanged without trial by angry mobs of people].

Solid South/Southern Democrats Because of hatred toward Lincoln and Grant voters in the South rejected Republican candidates after the Civil War. Democrats could rely on Southern votes in both state and national elections. Every presidential election from 1876 to 1948 went solidly Democratic [Southern states only voted for Democrats]. Extremely negative features of the Solid South were segregation and Jim Crow laws.

The Grandfather Clause In general, a Grandfather clause is an exception that allows an old rule that was changed to apply in certain new circumstances. In the South during the late 1800s even though the 15th Amendment granted voting rights to all blacks certain states passed racist voting laws to prevent them from voting. Some laws stated that if your grandfather ,who was a slave, had not been able vote neither could you. Even if you were a free man!

MILITARY RECONSTRUCTION Because there was a lot of disagreement in the U.S. Congress and still desire for Southern rebellion Lincoln installed military rule throughout the South. The South was separated into 5 military districts with appointed Military governors who controlled each region. Resentment, shame and hard feelings arose in the heart of many Southerners who believed they were again being oppressed by the Union.

One year later the 13th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution. One week before President Lincoln was assassinated the 13th Amendment passed the U.S. House of Representatives. One year later the 13th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution. The 13th Amendment banned, prohibited and forbade slavery within the United States and its Western territories.

14TH AMENDMENT In 1868 the 14th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution in order to provide equal protection to all citizens under the law. The intent of this law was to ban discrimination against people who at one time were slaves and to destroy racist state laws such as the Grandfather Clause. It took nearly 100 years for the full effect of 14th Amendment to take place because of numerous court challenges.

15TH AMENDMENT In 1870 the 15th Amendment prohibited voting discrimination. The specific language stated that voting rights could not be restricted based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Voting rights could only be restricted based on minimum age and criminal convictions.

The purpose of the law was to combat racism and discrimination. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1866 This federal law banned discrimination against all people with the exception of some same Native-American tribes. The purpose of the law was to combat racism and discrimination.

ELECTION OF 1866 Elections throughout the United States centered around whether to support or reject Reconstruction. Radical Republicans wanted to continue military occupation in the South. Southern Democrats wanted to continue Jim Crow laws. President Johnson wanted a lenient Reconstruction Plan. The Republican party [not the radicals] won most of the elections but military occupation lasted only a few years longer.

Election of 1876 and the Compromise of 1877 U.S. citizens were mostly fed up with the ineptitude of President Grant and the depressed economy. The alleged corruption and suspected scandals committed by Grant’s administration had soured American voters. New York Governor Samuel E. Tilden [a “Yankee”]the democratic candidate opposed former Confederate General [Southerner] Rutherford B. Hayes. Tilden actually won the popular vote but due to Southern violence and pressure from railroad companies a deal was struck to give the presidency to Hayes in exchange for White House patronage [jobs]. Hayes lasted one term as president. Samuel E. Tilden Rutherford B. Hayes

Choice Assignment: Choose and complete one of the following assignments [1] Draft a letter as Lincoln’s secretary convincing the U.S. that military Reconstruction is necessary. [2] Create a poster supporting the passage or rejection of the 13th Amendment. [3] Create a poster demanding to bring the Grandfather Clause back to undermine the 15th Amendment. [4] Create a 6-panel cartoon strip describing the Compromise of 1877. [5] Create a list of at least 5 racist incidents that occurred and led to the Civil Rights Act of 1866 being passed. [6] Write a personal letter to Congress thanking them or complementing them for the 14th Amendment.

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