Beginning of Reconstruction

Reconstruction Period after the Civil War 1867 – 1877 The south is brought back as part of the United States

Freedman’s Bureau Created by the government in 1865 Freed black slaves were uneducated and unemployed Georgia has a higher black population than any other state Gave food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies to freed slaves

Freedman’s Bureau Built more than 4,000 schools Church groups and some Northerners also helped to create schools Before this these people had been unable to get an education The first school for black students was opened in Savannah in an old slave mart

Tenant Farmers and Sharecroppers Many freed slaves started working for their old masters Landowners would rent land to farm on Since farmers could not afford to pay rent for the land they would give the land owner a share of their crop

Tenant Farmers and Sharecroppers Tenant Farmers: often owned animals, equipment, supplies, and would get ¾ of the harvest Sharecroppers: did not own anything, just worked. They would get ½ of the harvest. Land owners would deduct rent and money spent from the crop so farmers would get very little.

Reconstruction Lincoln wanted to be fair to the South after the war. He wanted them to abolish slavery, set up a new government, 1/10 of the people had to take an oath to obey the constitution. Republicans did not agree with Lincoln’s plan. They wanted to punish the South for breaking away from the Union. Republicans passed the Wade-Davis Bill.

Wade-Davis Bill passed July Stricter that Lincoln’s plan. Wanted a majority of voters to take an oath of loyalty to the United States. Lincoln Vetoed the Bill. – Veto: refuse approval

Lincoln’s assassination April 1865 Lincoln is shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre. This was 5 days after the South surrendered. Vice President Andrew Johnson becomes President

13 th Amendment Ratified December 1865 Abolished slavery in the United States After bill was passed, Southern states could officially come back into the Union

14 th Amendment Passed in 1866 Freed slaves are now citizens of the United States. Tennessee was the only Southern state to approve. Congress reacted by putting southern states (other than Tennessee) under the rule of the army.

14 th Amendment Congress told the states if they did not ratify the amendment they could not come back to the union 1868 ratified by all states

Rebuilding Georgia’s Government General John Pope was in charge of Georgia under military rule 1867: constitutional convention was organized to write a new state constitution Out of 169 delegates 37 of them were black.

Henry McNeal Turner Educated minister, served as the first black chaplain in the U.S. army elected to the House of Representatives Later in 1868 Georgia legislature removes black legislatures from office saying the Georgia constitution denied blacks to hold office. Disagreed with his removal and spoke against it. Received threats from the Ku Klux Klan.

Ku Klux Klan Hate group with the goal of keeping blacks from having the same rights as whites. Dress in white robes and hats, would spread terror by attacking black citizens and their property at night. Would also target anyone that would help black citizens.

15 th Amendment February 1870 Guarantees the right to vote to all U.S. citizens no matter what their race is. Georgia is readmitted to the Union in July of 1870