Reconstruction

Reconstruction (1) Refers to the federal government’s plan to restore the South to the Union.

Lincoln’s Plan (2) Wanted to reunite the south with the rest of the country He did not want to punish the south. Lincoln died before he could put his plan in place Task fell to President Andrew Johnson

Johnson’s Plan (3) Like Lincoln he did not want to punish the south and wanted to restore the South to the Union Texas and other Confederate states had to meet certain conditions: Set up temporary governments Slavery had to be ended Declare Secession illegal All adult white males had to take an oath of loyalty to the U.S.

Reconstruction Problems (4) Reconstruction was not smooth: African Americans struggled with attaining equality Many in the South still bitter about losing the war Reconstruction of towns and Railroads slow Economic Troubles

Reconstruction and Texas

Reconstruction and Texas (5) Texas was not as badly damaged from the war as other southern states due to it’s distance from the main fighting. Many railroads, ports, cities, and farms left undamaged. During the war cotton production fell but after the war it increased. Texas provided much needed food and soldiers to the war effort. Many displaced southerners migrated to Texas after the war. Population in Texas increased.

Reconstruction in Texas (6) Texas had to re-write and adapt a new state constitution African Americans still struggled with equality Cotton production and railroad construction increased

Juneteenth (7) Union General Gordon Granger took command of Texas after the war ended On June 19th, 1865 Granger issued a proclamation freeing all slaves in Texas. African Americans in Texas called this day Juneteenth. Became a state holiday in 1979.

Emancipation Proclamation