Reconstruction 12 years of Rebuilding
The Freedman’s Bureau Helping establish rights for freed slaves
California View Reconstruction
Is Slavery Dead?
Reconstruction
Rebuilding the South
3 Plans President Lincoln’s = Mild & forgiving
Points Amnesty to all willing to take an oath of loyalty to U.S.
And Southerners must support the Constitution
Southern States would be Recognized when 1/10 of voters took oath of allegiance.
II. Radical Republicans’ Plan Required a majority of voters to take loyalty oath.
Thaddeus Stevens Radical Republicans did not want to reconcile with the South.
3 Goals
1. Former Confederate Officials Are banned from voting for state legislatures
2. Republican Power in the South
3. African Americans Gain Political Power through Government Help by guaranteeing their right to vote.
Each State must outlaw Slavery
Punishment Mild or Severe?
Weak and Strong Govt
III. President Johnson’s Plan Grant Pardons to all Southerners willing to take loyalty oath
Except for People with property worth $20,000 or more.
Confederate States had to : Revoke their resolutions to secede from the Union & outlaw slavery.
Wade – Davis Bill Compromise of Moderates & Radical Republicans
Conditions Majority of men take oath of allegiance Make new state constitution Deprive all former Confederate members of voting rights & govt. office
Pocket Veto Not voting on a bill during a legislative session
“No Persecution, No Bloody work.” A. Lincoln
Conditions in the South Unemployed, homeless, starving
40 acres & a mule Idea to confiscate Southern farms and redistribute land to former slaves. Didn’t fly.
Freedmen’s Bureau Fed, clothed, educated, reunited families, negotiated contracts for workers, etc.
13 th Amendment 1865 Banned Slavery and involuntary servitude
Coretta Scott King dies On the anniversary of the passage of the 13 th Amendment: January 31
14 th Amendment = 1868 Protected the rights of Citizens
14 th Amendment Citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S.
15 th Amendment = 1870 Declared the right to vote cannot be denied because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
Military Reconstruction Act Divided the South into 5 Districts
By 1868 Tennessee, Florida, N.C. S.C. Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas are readmitted to the Union
Andrew Johnson Democrat from Tn. Poor, uneducated Not Elected
Black Codes Limited African Americans’ rights in the South. Conditions similar to slavery.
Black Codes Rights: Can be legally Married Can own property Can sue in court Can go to school
Restrictions of Black Codes Cannot marry whites Cannot serve on juries Cannot carry weapons Cannot testify against whites
By 1869 = About 600,000 African Americans of all ages are in school.
Radical Republicans realize That many former Confederate officers had been elected to Congress……
Civil Rights Act of 1866 Citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. except Native Americans.
African Americans can Own property Be treated equally in Court
Tenure of Office Act Senate must approve the removal of any govt. official whose appointment had required the Senate’s consent.
Sec. of War : Stanton Would enforce the Radical Republicans plans. Johnson fired him
Impeachment for Johnson High Crimes and Misdemeanors Not Upholding the Tenure of Office Act
Senate voted to impeach One vote short of conviction
Johnson keeps his office But……….. Little Power left
Radical Republicans Pass the 15 th Amendment – African Americans the right to vote Men Only
U.S. Grant Unconditional Surrender Grant
Ulysses S. Grant Union Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant wrote his Personal Memoirs as he was dying of throat cancer in order to secure his family's financial future
Finally, on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered. Grant wrote out magnanimous terms of surrender that would prevent treason trials.
President Grant Grant allowed Radical Reconstruction to run its course in the South, bolstering it at times with military force.
Corruption in Grant’s Term Dishonest Aides Graft =