the Reconstruction Era – Intro & Simulation US History Mrs. Lacks

Reconstruction Era 1865 – 1877 period after the Civil War when the U.S. focused on abolishing slavery, destroying all traces of the Confederacy, and "reconstructing" both the South and the Constitution Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s VP, has become President

State of the Union North vs. South economy northern economy boomed (by end of war was producing more coal, iron, merchant ships, etc than entire country had in 1860) southern economy devastated end of slavery as a labor system wrecked most of region’s industry wiped out 40% of livestock destroyed much of farm machinery and railroads left 1000s of acres of uncultivated farmland in weeds

13th Amendment Ratified in December, 1865. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Key Questions How do we bring the South back into the Union? How do we rebuild the South after its destruction during the war? How do we integrate the newly emancipated blacks? What branch of government should control the process of Reconstruction?

Welcome to the Reconstruction Simulation VA/US History Lacks Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

It’s 1865… The Civil War is over The Southern States have lost The Confederate States of America are no more The South needs to rejoin the Union Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

It’s 1865… You, the leaders of your groups, have to figure out how to reconstruct the nation which has been torn apart by Civil War Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

It’s 1865… You individually represent either the… Radical Republicans Defeated Southern Leaders Moderate Republicans Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Who are the Radical Republicans? The victorious northerners of the Republican party who want to make radical reforms to punish the South and guarantee the rights of the newly freed slaves. Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Who are the Defeated Southern Leaders? The war has been lost and the north has freed the slaves. They had to decide whether to heal old wounds or fight for what was lost. Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Who are the Moderate Republicans? Leaders like President Lincoln and Vice President Johnson who wish to take it easy on the South so that they will peacefully rejoin the Union without too much resentment. Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Day 1: Create a Proposal Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

What to do… Day 1: Day 2: A. Know your role (read the sheet clearly) B. Write a proposal about what you (as the leader of the ___________) want – be specific as possible and answer the questions Day 2: A. Present your proposal to the other leaders (in your assigned group) B. As a group of different leaders, discuss solutions openly, and come to a compromise Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Your Proposal (aka speech aka what you want) A statement that you would read to other convention leaders stating your goals and intentions A few paragraphs (informative, persuasive & well-written) This is an individual grade Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Your Proposal Please keep in mind that you must be as specific as possible in your proposed solutions. For example, it is not enough just to say, “We will create schools to educate Freed Blacks.” Which level of government will do this, local, state or Federal? Who will pay for it? Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Your Proposal Keep in mind the time period you are dealing with. There are no income taxes, the Federal Government is relatively small and not used to dealing directly with social problems. There are no civil rights laws dealing with race or gender. Only white males can vote, for example. There are no government agencies that give financial aid to minorities of any kind. Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Your Proposal Most importantly: try to think as people would have thought in the late 1860’s. Don’t try and insert your own modern ideas of what is right. Be faithful to the role you are playing even if you disagree with the views of the group you are representing. Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Your Proposal Finally, aim high! Take a strong stance. Everyone has to compromise. Don’t give the other leaders better options by folding too quickly. It is beneficial to you to NOT share your answers/wants with other class members – they could use it against you Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

The Convention At the Convention next class, you will come together with your group of other leaders Each person will read their proposal to the group As a group, you will come up with a written compromise (you must answer all of the questions together) When everyone is finished, you will present your ideas for compromise by group to the class Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Day 2: Collaboration & Decision-making Welcome to the convention to reunite the United States. Please take your proposal out and be ready to move to meet with your group Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

The Convention Today, you will come together with your assigned group of other leaders Each person will read their proposal to the group, starting with the Radical Republican As a group, you will have one hour to come up with a written compromise (you must answer all of the questions together) When everyone is finished, you will present your ideas for compromise by group to the class Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks

Find Your Groups & Get Started First – each person reads his or her written proposal to the group Radical Republican, then Defeated Southern Leader, then Moderate Republican Be strong and confident! LISTEN to each other, jot down arguments to their stances Second – decide how to reconstruct the union Appoint a scribe Starting with the first question, argue to decide upon a specific answer to each question (the combination of all questions = your compromise) Created by: Katherine Snyder Lacks