Reconstruction: Rebuilding the South: Physically Politically Socially

Planning Reconstruction Lincoln’s Plan One nation – One people Amnesty Loyalty to Union Accept ban on slavery 10% make pledges Form new state govern. Readmitted to Union 10% Plan

Opposition to Lincoln’s Plan Who plans reconstruction? President Congress Republican Opposition Concern about slaves Concern about traitors Wade-Davis Bill Ban slavery in state Majority of males take loyalty oath Swear never supported Confederacy to vote or hold office Lincoln’s Veto

The 13 th Amendment Republican Agreement Abolish Slavery Emancipation Proclamation Only freed in non-occupied states Slavery still existed Constitutionality? 13 th Amend. Proposed January 31, 1865 December 18, 1865 Ratified

Abolition Complete? Positives Legalize marriages Search for relatives New last names Negatives Lack of farmland Lack of skills Continuing prejudice Voting rights?

Freedman’s Bureau Established 1865 Relief of all poor in South Black White Oliver O. Howard Distribute Food Set Labor Contracts Assist War Veterans Promote Education Howard and Fisk Universities

A New President April 14 th, 1865 Plot by John Wilkes Booth Kill President, Vice- President, Sec. of War Our American Cousin Lincoln’s Death April 14, 1865 “Now he belongs to the ages.” Andrew Johnson President

Assassination

Oh Captain! My Captain! O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills, For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores a-crowding, For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult O shores, and ring O bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. Walt Whitman ( )

Pres. Johnson’s Reconstruction Appoint temporary governor Oath of loyalty / Pardon Elect delegates Convention to write state constitution Elect state representatives Declare secession illegal Repudiate Confederate Debts Accept 13 th Amendment 1865 – All but Texas Congressional reaction Refuses to accept representatives Refuse to readmit states to Union

The Fight over Reconstruction Black Codes New state legislatures Pass laws denying Black rights Work contracts No gun ownership No renting in city A consistent effort to limit Black freedom Alexander Stephens and Ex- Rebels in Congress

Radical Republicans No Change in South! Black Codes Rights/Voting for Blacks Moderates Don’t use federal force in South Radicals Use federal force as necessary to implement changes Thaddeus Stevens Charles Sumner Anti-Johnson Growing support in Congress

Johnson versus Congress 1866 Congressional Vote Freedman’s Bureau - use military courts to try violators of Black rights Jackson Veto No new laws on South until represented in Congress Freedman’s Bureau unconstitutional Civil Rights Act of 1866 Black legal rights Jackson veto

The Fourteenth Amendment Protect Civil Rights Act Defines U.S. citizens Equal protection under law Due process of law Bans Confederate officers from holding office State laws subject to review by federal courts Congress has power to pass laws to enforce amendment

Ratifying the 14 th Amendment Congressional election of 1866 Opponents Johnson and Democrats Proponents Republicans Factors Riots in South: Memphis, New Orleans

Congress Takes Charge 1866 Election Radical Republicans gain 2/3 majority Can override any veto Moderate & Radical Republicans unite Reconstruction Acts 1867 Divide South into 5 districts U.S. military commanders Rejoin union Support 14 th Amendment Allow Blacks to vote

Congress Takes Charge Johnson’s Opposes Reconstruction Acts Congress Reacts Tenure of Office Act Can’t remove cabinet members Johnson fires Edward Stanton, Sec. of War House of Reps Reacts Impeach Johnson Trial in Senate “Not Guilty” by 1 vote

Election of 1868 and 1872 Candidates Horatio Seymour – Dem. Ulysses S. Grant – Rep. Grant War hero Supports Congressional Reconstruction plan “Let Us Have Peace” 7 States Readmitted Violence at Southern Polls Grant victory

The 15 th Amendment 1869 Why another amendment? Protect Reconstruction plans Extend Black voting rights to Northern states Grants Black males in U.S. the right to vote Takes effect in 1870 Criticisms Right to hold office Rights of women

Grant Administ. Flounders Scandals in Cabinet Panic of 1873 Loss of Jobs Weak Economy Election of 1874 Democrats take control of House or Representatives

Opposition to Reconstruction Ku Klux Klan 1866 Oppose Civil Rights Oppose Black Suffrage Threat in 1870s and Beyond General Amnesty Act 1872 Former Confed Officers can be elected

Compromise of 1877 Election of 1877 Rutherford B. Hayes – Rep Samuel J. Tilden – Dem Tilden – Popular Vote SC, FL, LA Contested voting Awarded to Hayes Senate approves House divided Compromise Hayes – Electoral votes Withdraw troops from South

End of Reconstruction “Redeeming” the South End of Republican rule Rise of Democratic party White rule Jim Crow Laws Segregation Disfranchisement Violence & Intimidation Lynchings Blacks a year