Day 80: The Ordeal of Reconstruction 1865-1877 Baltimore Polytechnic Institute January 3, 2011 A.P. U.S. History Mr. Green

The Ordeal of Reconstruction 1865-1877 Objectives: Define the major problems facing the nation and the South after the Civil War. Describe the responses of both whites and African Americans to the end of slavery. Analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional approaches to Reconstruction. Explain how the blunders of President Johnson and the resistance of the white South opened the door to the Republicans’ radical Reconstruction AP Focus The Union victory is significant in transforming and diversifying the South’s production. It also represents the defeat of the planter-slaveholder and the continued rise of the industrial capitalist. In the aftermath of the war, especially in those southern states that reenter the Union under Johnson’s lenient plan, Black Codes again segregate and subordinate the South’s blacks. Organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Knights of the White Camellia, use violence and intimidation to deny blacks access to institutions, such as voting, that would improve their lives. Blacks are reduced to a form of slavery without chains, in that they are economically dependent and subservient to the owner of the land on which they are sharecroppers.

Chapter Focus Chapter Themes Johnson’s political blunders and Southern white recalcitrance led to the imposition of congressional military Reconstruction on the South. Reconstruction did address difficult issues of reform and racial justice in the South and achieved some successes, but was ultimately abandoned, leaving a deep legacy of racial and sectional bitterness. During Reconstruction, the Constitution was strengthened with the Fourteenth (citizenship and equal protection of the laws) and Fifteenth (black voting rights) Amendments, but it was also tested with the conflicts between the president and Congress that culminated in an impeachment process.

Announcements Decades Chart 1860’s-Due Today Focus Questions Chapter 22-Due January 4

The Ku Klux Klan, Tennessee, 1868 This night-riding terrorist has even masked the identity of his horse.

The Ku Klux Klan “Invisible Empire of the South” Founded in Tennessee-1866 First taste of water since he had been killed at the Battle of Shiloh Fright then force Most took the hint and stayed away from the polls Congress passed Force Act of 1870/1871 South responded with disenfranchising blacks with literacy tests

Impeachment Drama The impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson, among the most severe constitutional crises in the Republic’s history, were high political theater, and tickets were in sharp demand.

Johnson Walks the Impeachment Plant Radicals accused Johnson of keeping a harem of “dissolute women” Congress pass the Tenure of Office Act in 1867 to require the president to secure consent of the Senate before an appointee could be removed Johnson removed Edwin Stanton, secretary of war in 1868

A Not-Guilty Verdict for Johnson Impeachment became biggest show of 1868 Missed the guilty verdict by 1 vote The next in line was not a better choice, Benjamin Wad, President pro tempore of the Senate Was not guilty of “high crimes and misdemeanors”

The Purchase of Alaska Russia wanted to sell off some of its empire Did not want to lose it to Britain in a war William Seward paid $7.2 million Seward’s Folly The Tsars had been friendly to the North during the Civil War Later discoveries of natural gas and oil proved the importance of Alaska

Alaska and the Lower Forty-eight States (a size comparison)

The Heritage of Reconstruction The South resented Reconstruction for: 1. Upending the social structure 2. Destroying the racial system 3. Empowering former slaves 4. Federal intervention in local issues Difficult to develop the right policy

Is This a Republican Form of Government Is This a Republican Form of Government? by Thomas Nast, Harper’s Weekly, 1876 The nation’s most prominent political cartoonist expressed his despair at the tragic way that Reconstruction had ended— with few real gains for the former slaves.

Homework Continue Reading Chapter 22 Prepare for 10 question reading check on Chapter 22 on Wednesday Study guide will be distributed on Wednesday for Mid-Term