Reconstruction Of the South

Lincoln’s Plan Pardon and grant amnesty When 10% of the 1860 voters took an oath and agree to abide by the government which abolishes slavery, then the state government will be recognized States had never left the union; some citizens were in rebellion; we are all country men again

Johnson’s Plan Follow Lincoln’s plan Generous with pardons Forgiving: He was a southerner Let states pass black codes For a state to hold a constitutional convention they must Void secession Ratify the 13th amendment Stop paying war debt In December of 1865 Johnson pardons 58 representatives of the Confederate Congress 6 who served in the Cabinet 4 rebel generals This enrages the Radical Republicans

Problems for Johnson Lincoln was popular / Johnson was not Lincoln could get along with critics / Johnson could not Northerners were blaming the south Johnson is impeached for political reasons: Johnson is saved by one vote His crime: use of “intemperate language” and bringing disgrace and ridicule on Congress. The impeachment is more about Johnson’s vetoes; The radicals are accused of trying to destroy the system of checks and balances and trying to gain too much power.

Radical Republicans’ Plan South must be Punished Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 Divides the South into 5 Military Districts Each governed by a Union General Confederacy can’t pay war debts or Southerners for the loss of their slaves. Punish states which do not allow African-American males to vote Thaddeus Stevens: “I look upon every man who would permit slavery … as a traitor to liberty and disloyal to God” The Radical Republicans gain control of the Congress and can override Johnson’s vetoes.

RR Cont. All qualified voters not including those who supported the Confederacy could vote for delegates to a Constitutional Convention when The 14th amendment was ratified Guaranteed the rights to all citizens Permit African American males the right to vote

Wade-Davis Bill Congress controls Reconstruction, not the President South will be under a military government Lincoln uses pocket vetoes

Freedman’s Bureau: aid medical care to help newly freed blacks: built schools and hospitals 13th amendment: ends slavery 14th Amendment: everyone born in the U.S.A is a citizen; state can’t deny a citizen federal rights of life, liberty or property without due process 15th amendment: The right to vote for African American males North

Black Codes: used to control the actions of ex-slaves examples are curfews, can’t serve on a jury, can’t marry whites, can’t carry a weapon Sharecropping: ties workers to land; like slavery Segregation: separate by race Solid South: south votes strongly democratic South

Voting Restrictions South passed laws to keep African-Americans from voting or holding office. Poll Taxes: pay a fee in order to vote Grandfather clause: you may vote only if your grandfather had voted in the past Literacy test: you must show you can read in order to vote

Attempts to profit from Reconstruction Carpetbaggers: Northerner who moves to the south to exploit situations created by Reconstruction for their own advantage Scalawag: Southerner who cooperates with Reconstruction and joins the Republican party. These individuals are considered traitors by white Southerners.

Jim Crow Laws Laws passed that separated blacks and whites in Trains Theaters Streetcars Playgrounds Hospitals Beaches Cemeteries

Post Civil War Agenda Caring for the needs of newly freed slaves Employment assistance Housing assistance Educational provision Granting full rights as citizens Mending the rift between North and south Granting amnesty to confederates Restoring states their full rights Returning confiscated land to former confederate owners

Grant as President Elected in 1868 Radical Republicans want to divide the plantation land among slaves. Not supported by the Republican moderates Sharecropping and tenant farming developed 15th amendment passed: voting rights