The Politics of Reconstruction Assassination of Lincoln Andrew Johnson Reconstruction - 10 % plan Radical Republicans Thaddeus Stevens Wade-Davis Bill Freedman’s Bureau

Assassination of Lincoln April 14, 1865 Lincoln went to Ford’s Theater to relax John Wilkes Booth Southern sympathizer Shot Lincoln in the head Part of a conspiracy Lincoln died the next day Booth was tracked down and killed 12 days later

Andrew Johnson VP for Lincoln Democrat from Tenn. Former slave owner, but later favored abolitionism Wanted harsh treatment for the leaders of the rebellion in early ’65

Why the South lost the War Lack of resources Loss of Stonewall Jackson Manpower

Reconstruction Reconstruction Period The war ended in Tenn. in ’63 Lincoln proposed a reconstruction plan known as the 10 % plan When 10% of those who voted in the 1860 election-except high Confederate officers or criminals-swore an oath of allegiance to the Union, a new state gov’t could be set up Reverse order of succession

Radical Republicans Opposed Lincoln’s plan Led by Sen. Charles Sumner (Mass.) and Rep. Thaddeus Stevens (Penn.) Wanted to destroy the political power of former slave owners and they wanted to give African-Americans the right to vote No other country had freed its slaves and given them the right to vote.

Wade Davis Bill Idea created in ‘64 Response to Lincoln’s 10% plan Proposed Congress be in charge of Reconstruction A majority of state’s population had to swear allegiance to the union in order for a state government to be set up. Lincoln pocket vetoed the bill Republicans were angry

Johnson’s plan Johnson announced his own plan and implemented it Placed the President in charge of Recon. Renounce secession Swear allegiance to the Union Annul Confederate war debts Ratify the 13 th amendment

Johnson’s Plan cont. Failed to address the needs of slaves Land Voting rights Protection under the law Most states complied with Johnson by Dec. ’65 Johnson considered Reconstruction finished

Freedmans Bureau Established in the last months of the war to help freed slaves and poor whites with food and clothing Hospitals Schools Industrial Institutes Teacher training centers Program expanded in 1866