Reconstruction GA Studies

Reconstruction Freedman’s Bureau: A government agency established in March 1865 to help both former slaves and poor whites cope with their everyday problems by providing food, clothing and other necessities

Reconstruction Reconstruction: a plan to rebuild the South and restore southern states to the Union as quickly and easily as possible Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan: All southerners were to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. (exclude high ranking military officials & Confederate government officials) After 10% of the voters in a state took the oath, the state could form a government and ask to be readmitted to the Union

Reconstruction Disagreement with Lincoln’s plan: Congress felt the southern states should be punished

Reconstruction Johnson’s original plan: The same as Lincoln’s except he expanded the groups who were not granted a general pardon

Reconstruction Disenfranchised: To take away the voting rights of others

Reconstruction Three Additions to Johnson’s Plan: States had to approve (ratify) the 13th amendment States had to nullify the articles of secession States had to promise not to repay institutions and individuals who had funded the Confederacy

Reconstruction Purpose of the 13th Amendment: Abolish slavery

Reconstruction Black Codes: Laws passed in the South to restrict the rights of freedmen These laws often controlled the types of jobs freedmen could have, permitted whipping as a punishment, and established labor periods (sunrise to sunset) These laws also permitted prison for jobless blacks so many worked for very low wages Did not allow freed men to vote, serve on juries or testify against white men in court

Reconstruction Congress’ response to Black Codes: They passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 Extended citizenship to African Americans Gave federal government the right to intervene in issues of discrimination 14th amendment was also passed at this time

Reconstruction 14th Amendment: Gave citizenship to freedmen Ensured equal protection under the law

Reconstruction Congressional Reconstruction: Had to ratify 14th amendment When southern states refused: Congress invalidated the new governments States were placed under military rule

Reconstruction Three improvements made during the Constitutional Convention of 1867: Civil rights for all GA citizens Free public education for all children Allowed married women to control their own property (1st state to do this) New governor: Rufus Bullock - Republican

Reconstruction Henry McNeal Turner: One of 29 black legislators elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1868 What happened to the 32 African Americans elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1868? They were expelled after it was determined they had been given the right to vote, but not to hold office

Reconstruction Ku Klux Klan: A secret organization that tried to keep freedmen from exercising their new civil rights Started in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865 Methods of Terrorism used: Intimidation included beatings, whippings, murder

Reconstruction 15th amendment: Gave all male citizens the right to vote

Reconstruction Georgia’s readmission was completed after they: Ruled that blacks were eligible to hold office Reseated the expelled African American representatives Approved 14th amendment Ratified 15th amendment Democrats regained control of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly

Reconstruction Demand on soil: Because the bankers put such high expectations on farmers (expected them to grow cotton & tobacco crops year after year) the soil was ruined Farmers became poorer and poorer Cotton was still the most important crop in Georgia

Reconstruction Other businesses expanded during Reconstruction: Industry increased because of increased cotton demand (textile mills increased) Banks began to reopen due to increased demand Dry goods stores, shops, and hotels reopened Railroad traffic & shipping increased as shipping demands grew