Reconstruction

Reconstruction 1865-1877 Period centered around rebuilding the southern economy and reuniting the nation Key Questions How should the Southern states be reintegrated into the Union? What system of labor should replace slavery? What would be the status of former slaves What degree of federal control should be imposed on the South?

Lincoln’s Plan Began to plan the restoration before assassination Goal : quickly unite Ten-Percent Plan Any southern states with at least 10% of its voters making a pledge to be loyal to the US could be readmitted Pardon and restore all rights of property Forgiveness Criticized as too lenient Many wanted to punish South Charles Sumner

Wade-Davis Bill Proposed by Radical Republicans 50% of voters in a state had to take an oath of loyalty Former Confederate gov officials could not vote or hold office Lincoln used the pocket veto to kill this bill

Split in Republican Party Moderate Republicans supported more easy readmission of the south Radical Republicans South must be punish Destroy Southern social system Planter aristocracy should not be reinstated to power African Americans protected by federal law

New Amendments 13th Abolished slavery – in rebellious southern states 1865 14th All people born in the US to be citizens and therefore earn rights that citizens 1868 15th Allows citizens the right to vote regardless of race 1870

Andrew Johnson 17th POTUS 1865-1869 Born in NC Democrat for TN Poor, lacked formal ed Common man Supported state’s rights, against secession Against equality for African Americans White supremacist Plan allowed ex confederate officials to come to power First president to be impeached One vote away from being removed from office

Johnson’s Plan Pardons to former Confederates who pledged loyalty Returned property to former Confederates $200,000 in land value Over 7,000 pardons Former Confederates soon gained positions in southern governments Passed black codes that forced African Americans to enter labor contracts and restricted rights Similar to slavery Led to Johnson's unpopularity

Congress’s Plan Controlled by Republicans Anti-slavery party Angry at Johnson for lack of rights given to African Americans Adopt 14th Amendment Gives citizenship to African Americans South was divided into five military districts 10 years 200,000 solders stationed throughout the south to enforce order and carry out laws

Freedmen’s Bureau Provides food, clothing, medical care, and education First federal relief agency ever Taught over 200,000 African Americans to read

Black Codes Established provisions and rules Curfews Vagrancy laws – could be fined, whipped, or sold, if not working Labor Contracts Land restrictions

Sharecropping Tenant farmers Paid ½ to 2/3 of their crops Forced labor or imprisonment = fail to pay

Disenfranchisement Poll taxes Grandfather Clause Literacy Tests