Reconstruction

What was Reconstruction? Reconstruction was the time after the Civil War that focused on rebuilding the south, bringing former slaves into American society, and re-establishing our government with both northern and southern states.

What was Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction and why did it not happen? a. Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction was lenient on the south. His plan was to punish Confederate leaders, not the southern people. b. Lincoln was shot and killed shortly after the end of the war.

What was Johnson’s plan for Reconstruction and why did it not happen? a. Andrew Johnson (Lincoln’s VP) became the new president. He also wanted to show leniency on the southern people. b. His plan was the 10% plan (only 10% of southern people had to pledge) Allegiance to the US to become a State again. c. Didn’t happen because the northerners got angry – it was too lenient.

Who were the Radical Republicans and what was their plan for Reconstruction? a. Radical Republicans were congressmen from the north who believed the south should have to pay for the Civil War. They were led by a man named Thaddeus Stevens. b. They wanted it to be much harder for the southern states to enter the union. c. They also wanted to give former slaves the right to vote.

Why and how did Johnson and the Radical Republicans clash? a. The Radical Republicans and Andrew Johnson continued to clash on how to treat the south. b. Johnson at one point fired a government official that the RR didn’t believe could be fired. c. They impeached him for violating the Tenure of Office Act. d. He was saved by ONE vote.

What were the Civil War Amendments? a. 13th Amendment – Abolished slavery b. 14th Amendment – Made all former slaves citizens of the United States. c. 15th Amendment – Gave former slave males the right to vote (Suffrage) d. Freedman’s Bureau – organization set up reunite former slave families, set up schools, and teach them how to vote. Done mainly through churches.

What was going on in the country around 1870 what did this cause? a. All southern states were accepted back into the union as of 1870. b. The South was slowly rebuilding their economy. c. The US military had put the south under martial law to prevent attacks against former slaves.

What was life like in the Post-War South? a. Some northern businessmen came to the south to try and take advantage of the economic situation (nicknamed carpetbaggers). b. Southerners who supported the republican party were resented (nicknamed scalawags) c. Much resentment toward former slaves who were trying to exercise their new right to vote.

What challenges did former slaves face? a. Many southern towns implemented black codes – rules former slaves must follow to restrict their rights. b. Slaves were promised “40 Acres and a Mule” from Sherman if they joined the Union Army. He never kept this promise.

How did the South attempt to restore their former way of life? a. Because jobs were scarce many were forced back into a form of slavery. Sharecropping – wealthy landowners give former slaves a few acres but had to share half the crops with the landowner. Tenant Farming – wealthy landowners rent land to former slaves but charge them high rents. b. Both systems kept the former slaves in debt and always owing the landowner.

What was the KKK and what did they attempt to do? a. The Ku Klux Klan was a group of white supremacists who’s goal was to restore the former southern way of life and to keep former slaves from voting. b. They used terrorism and threats to accomplish their goals.

How and when did Reconstruction finally end? a. The US economy began going through a recession and overtime many northerners started sympathizing with the southerners. People were less committed to helping former slaves. b. The north and south came up with the Compromise of 1877 North would take the military out of the south South would vote for Rutherford B. Hayes for president.