Reconstruction and Its Effects Ch. 4 Review Continued

What is the term Reconstruction? The period of time after the civil war in which the US began to rebuild. 1865-1877

Lincoln’s Plan Lincoln favored leniency (take it easy on the South). Ten percent plan – offers amnesty (forgiveness) to Confederates if they take an oath of allegiance to the Union. When 10% take the oath, a state can petition to come back into the union.

Radical Republicans? Radical Republicans in Congress wanted to destroy the land-owning slave holders and punish the South severely. Wanted African Americans to be given full citizenship and the right to vote. Something Lincoln was not offering.

President Johnson’s plan? Much the same as Lincoln’s plan. Excluded many wealthy Southern landowners from the oath/10% plan. Pardoned a huge amount of Confederates believing that those “whites” were needed to govern the South.

Congress’ reaction to Johnson’s plan? They hated it and wanted to block Johnson’s efforts. South not being punished enough. Not enough being done to help the freed African Americans.

Congressional Reconstruction? Fourteenth Amendment – Defined citizenship (to include freed peoples) and prevented states from denying rights to all citizens. Reconstruction Act of 1867 did not recognize States formed under the Lincoln and Johnson plans divided the South into military districts (the South now occupied by federal troops) Forced States to grant voting rights and accept the 14th Amend.

What was Sharecropping? System of allowing freed slaves to stay on the land and work for themselves. Always remain in debt to the landowner.

Why did Reconstruction fail? The rise of violence and intimidation under the KKK. Republican party weakened. Economic depression took attention away from the problems of the South.

Election of 1876 ends Reconstruction? Democrat candidate Samuel Tilden wins the election with the popular vote but does not have the electoral vote necessary to become President. Southern Democrats agree to allow Northern Republican RB Hayes to become President in exchange for the withdraw of troops from the South and the end of Reconstruction efforts. The South rules itself again and discrimination reigns.

Impact of the failure of Reconstruction on African Americans? What do you think?

That’s all for now!