Chapter 12 Reconstruction & the New South p At the end of the Civil War, Americans face the problem of how to reunite the nation. Disagreements over Reconstruction lead to conflicts in government and in the South. With the end of Reconstruction, African Americans in the South would lose many of the rights they had gained.

Chapter 12, Section 1 Rebuilding the Nation p As the Civil War ended, Americans face the problems of how to reunite the nation.

Lincoln Wins Re-election Victories in the battlefield ensure Lincoln’s victory in the Election of Seems to be a diminished man Personal Tragedies: – Death of his son Willie – Wife’s mental illness Public Adversities: – Abuse in the press – Death threats – Burden of war Guilt over high death rate New dilemma: RECONSTRUCTION Lincoln’s 2 nd Inaugural Address March 4, 1865 Can you spot John Wilkes Booth?

RECONSTRUCTION How would you handle the reuniting of the states? Would you be lenient (“soft”) on the Confederates OR would you punish (be “hard”) them? Table Question:

Preparing for Reunion Main Idea: President Lincoln and Congress do not agree about how to bring the Union back together. Lincoln contemplates the fate of the South. Lincoln’s 10% Plan (from to make it easy for southern states to rejoin the Union ) – To heal wounds quickly 1. 10% voter loyalty oath to U.S. 2. Form new State Governments 3. Must declare an end to slavery Lincoln offers amnesty to former Confederates. – a government declares that will officially overlook violations of existing laws

The Wade-Davis Bill The “Radical Republicans” in Congress disagree with Lincoln. – Think he’s too lenient Pass the Wade-Davis Bill 1.50% voter loyalty oath 2.Anyone who voluntarily fought for the Confederacy barred from voting (for life) Lincoln refuses to sign - Never becomes law The South lay in ruins. – Who needs help? see p. 424 Benjamin WADE Henry DAVIS Thaddeus Stevens - a leading Radical Republican

The Freedmen’s Bureau Main Idea: The Freedmen’s Bureau provides education and economic help to freed slaves and poor whites – ALL people who had been displaced by the war. Freedmen’s School House Provides assistance and emergency relief to freedmen – enslaved people who had been freed by the Civil War Sets up schools to teach freedmen to read & write – Assists poor whites as well Helps freedmen find jobs & resolves disputes between whites & blacks – to decide; to solve

Lincoln is Murdered Main Idea: Abraham Lincoln’s assassination ends the chance of a lenient Reconstruction April 14, 1865 (Good Friday) – 5 days after Lee’s surrender Ford’s Theater - during the play “Our American Cousin” – Shot by John Wilkes Booth Lincoln had premonitions & dreams about his death. Dies the next day at 7:22 AM “He now belongs to the ages.” -Edwin Stanton (Secretary of War) 1 st President to be assassinated

John Wilkes Booth Very popular actor of his day Fanatical southern sympathizer – Felt guilty about avoiding military service Killed at a Virginia farmhouse, while resisting arrest. Newspapers of the time said, “Booth has killed the South’s greatest friend.” John Wilkes Booth “The Handsomest Man in America”