Presidential Reconstruction

Questions Nation Faces After Civil War How would the South be rebuilt? What would happen to liberated blacks? How would Southern States be reintegrated into Union? Who would direct the process of Reconstruction? Last question becomes arguing point—esp. between President and Congress

The Fate of Former Confederate Leaders Davis and fellow conspirators released from prison All rebel leaders pardoned by Johnson in 1868. Later, many of these same leaders would be re-elected into political office.

The State of the South Economically and socially destroyed. Both factories and agriculture crippled. Aristocracy now living in ruined mansions on worthless land. Southern attitudes largely unchanged. Anti-yankee feeling Believed they were victims. Racism still rampant.

Emancipation? Lots of confusion, often took a while Some slaves were loyal to master, although majority were happy to leave, and ready to seek revenge. BLACKS LOOKED TO MANIFEST THEIR EMANCIPATION! Took new names New clothes Moved away—esp. to reunite family Established churches and mutual-aid societies.

The Freedman’s Bureau To help newly freed slaves who were largely unskilled, uneducated, without property or money. Est. March 1865 Early welfare agency Greatest success: EDUCATION Still many problems: Blacks never got 40 acres and a mule, corrupt local administrators refused to help blacks. Johnson allowed it to expire in 1872.

Andrew Johnson: A “Misfit” President Faced with many problems. Very humble beginnings. Owned slaves. Picked by Lincoln as running-mate to attract War Democrats—so really more of a Democrat. Championed states’ rights and Constitution Not at home in a Republican White House Still, distrusted by Democrats.

Presidential Reconstruction Lincoln’s original plan: South had never legally left union so should be able to come back easily. 10% plan: State could come back to the Union when 10% of its voters in Election of 1860 took an oath of allegiance to the US and promised to follow emancipation.

Presidential Reconstruction ctnd. Radical Republicans reject Lincoln’s plan: Thought was way too lenient. Believed aristocracy would return to power and re-enslave blacks. In response passed Wade-Davis Bill—50% of state’s voters must take oath and stronger protection of former slaves. LINCOLN POCKET VETOES!

Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction Much like Lincoln’s, lenient on the South Recognized many of Lincoln’s 10% governments, then issued own proclamation: South must have special state convention where they repeal the ordinances of secession, repudiate all Confederate debts, and ratify the 13th Amendment.

President vs. Congress Republicans in Congress: South had left the Union, and therefore had no rights. Radical Republicans believed South should atone for its sins—NEEDED TO MORE FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE SOUTH! Conflicting plans of Johnson and Radical Republicans (see handout)

Keeping Blacks Enslaved THE BLACK CODES Passed in states allowed back into Union by Johnson Like slave statutes: Kept blacks tied to harsh labor contracts, couldn’t serve on juries, or rent land. Blacks could be sentenced to chain gang if boss felt was “idle.” NO BLACKS ALLOWED TO VOTE. Black codes made a mockery of freedom.

The Result: Sharecropping Blacks still trapped in slave-like working conditions. Trapped to land by debt to their creditor/boss. Made many wonder if the North had won the war at all.

Views of Reconstruction: The Birth of a Nation DW Griffith’s landmark, yet controversial 1915 film Censorship battle, although Griffiths said it wasn’t racist 200 million people saw film by 1946 President Wilson loved it, called it “writing history in lightning.”

Major Characters: Austin Stoneman: Northern Radical Republican, wants equality for blacks in South His Mulatto mistress, Lydia Silas Lynch: A mulatto leader of the blacks who Stoneman is sponsoring Stoneman’s daughter Elsie Her beloved, Ben, AKA “Little Colonel,” a Southerner

What to Look For: Take notes on one category: How does film portray: White Northerners? White Southerners? Black Northerners? (incl. mulattos) Black Southerners?