Reconstruction: Creating a “New South”

A New South Reconstruction is the time period when the US rebuilt and readmitted the South (1865-1877) First led by Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s VP 3 Amendments added to the Constitution: 13th Amendment - slavery abolished 14th Amendment – defines American citizenship 15th Amendment – Blacks allowed to vote Freedmen’s Bureau- new program to provide services (ex: education, medical care) to former slaves

Lincoln’s Plan vs. Johnson’s Plan State readmitted if 10% of voters swear allegiance to the Union. Radical Republicans consider this plan too lenient Want to destroy political power of former slaveholders Want full citizenship and suffrage for African Americans Johnson’s plan much like Lincoln’s, plus the following: Divide South into military districts Excludes Confederate leaders and wealthy landowners Veto the Freedmen’s Bureau

Reconstructing Society By 1870, all former Conf. states have rejoined Union. Many Southern whites reject equal rights for blacks (the Ku Klux Klan is born). Former slaves start churches, thousands move north to reunite with families or find jobs. Sharecropping- to farm land owned by another, sharecroppers keep only part of crops

Collapse of Reconstruction Ku Klux Klan wants to destroy Republican plans, aid planters, repress African Americans Kill thousands of men, women, and children. 1872 Amnesty Act passes, forgives Southerners for leaving Union. Democrats gain control of the South in 1876 election, Reconstruction ends.

Significance Success: Passing of 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments Needs work: Attempts to address discrimination failed White landowners passed discriminating laws (poll taxes, black codes) Whites would rule the South for the next 100 years

How did Reconstruction ultimately fail? List 3 specific examples. Summary How did Reconstruction ultimately fail? List 3 specific examples.