Reconstruction

Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan  Reconstruction: Process of readmitting the Confederate states to the Union  In Lincoln’s Inaugural Address (1865), he promised to reunify the nation…  Reconstruction: Process of readmitting the Confederate states to the Union  In Lincoln’s Inaugural Address (1865), he promised to reunify the nation… “with malice toward none, with charity for all.”

 Pardoning Confederate officials  Allowing the Confederate states to quickly form new governments and send representatives to Congress  Pardoning Confederate officials  Allowing the Confederate states to quickly form new governments and send representatives to Congress The Plan Included… I, Jefferson Davis, wasn’t pardoned! I was arrested for treason and sat in jail for two years. Fortunately, for me, my case was dropped and I went free!

Freedman’s Bureau  Lincoln created the Freedman’s Bureau to assist former slaves adjust to FREE life.  It set up schools and hospitals and distributed clothes and food throughout the South.  Lincoln created the Freedman’s Bureau to assist former slaves adjust to FREE life.  It set up schools and hospitals and distributed clothes and food throughout the South.

Freedman’s Bureau from the Southern Perspective “Plenty to eat and nothing to do.”

President Andrew Johnson  Democrat  From Tennessee  Former Slaveholder  White Supremist  Extremely Stubborn  Believed Reconstruction was the job of the President!  Democrat  From Tennessee  Former Slaveholder  White Supremist  Extremely Stubborn  Believed Reconstruction was the job of the President!

Johnson’s Reconstruction  Policies were based on Lincoln’s goals  Insisted new state governments ratify 13th Amendment  Insisted new state governments accept the supreme power of the federal government  Officially pardoned most white Southerners and promised to return their property but they had to pledge their loyalty to the United States  Policies were based on Lincoln’s goals  Insisted new state governments ratify 13th Amendment  Insisted new state governments accept the supreme power of the federal government  Officially pardoned most white Southerners and promised to return their property but they had to pledge their loyalty to the United States

13th Amendment  Passed in January 1865  Banned slavery in the United States  Passed in January 1865  Banned slavery in the United States Whoot!

Black Codes  Whilst the Southern states were setting up their new governments, they passed laws called “black codes.”  Black codes were designed to limit the freedom of former slaves.  Whilst the Southern states were setting up their new governments, they passed laws called “black codes.”  Black codes were designed to limit the freedom of former slaves. What the hiz?

Black Codes: Examples  Former slaves had to have written proof of employment. Without it, they could be put to work on plantations.  They could not meet in unsupervised groups.  They were forbidden to carry guns.  Former slaves had to have written proof of employment. Without it, they could be put to work on plantations.  They could not meet in unsupervised groups.  They were forbidden to carry guns.

Republicans vs. “Radical Republicans”  Republicans outnumbered Democrats in Congress.  Most Republicans were moderate (middle-of-the-road) and thought the federal government should stay out of the lives of states and individuals.  Republicans outnumbered Democrats in Congress.  Most Republicans were moderate (middle-of-the-road) and thought the federal government should stay out of the lives of states and individuals.

Republicans vs. “Radical Republicans” Thaddeus Stevens Charles Sumner “Radical Republicans” wanted the federal government to play an active role in rebuilding the South. They demanded full and equal citizenship for blacks.

The Civil Rights Act  Civil Rights: Rights granted to ALL citizens  Congress passed a bill declaring all people born in the US (except NA’s) were citizens.  It also said all citizens were entitled to equal rights regardless of their race.  Civil Rights: Rights granted to ALL citizens  Congress passed a bill declaring all people born in the US (except NA’s) were citizens.  It also said all citizens were entitled to equal rights regardless of their race. Sweet deal. Yeah, I know!

The Civil Rights Act  President Johnson VETOED the bill, stating that making blacks full citizens would “operate against the white race.”  Congress voted to override his veto.  That means that 2/3 of the House and the Senate voted FOR the bill after the veto. The bill became a law!!  President Johnson VETOED the bill, stating that making blacks full citizens would “operate against the white race.”  Congress voted to override his veto.  That means that 2/3 of the House and the Senate voted FOR the bill after the veto. The bill became a law!! “You drive me CRAAA- ZY!”

The 14th Amendment  Congress wanted these rights protected IN the Constitution so they passed the 14th Amendment, which said: A ll people born in the US (except NA’s) were citizens and all citizens were entitled to equal rights regardless of their race.

Johnson Impeached!  Johnson fought against many of Congress’s reform efforts and was very unpopular.  Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act which forbid the President to fire any government official without Senate approval.  Johnson ignored it and fired Secretary of War, Edward Stanton.  Johnson fought against many of Congress’s reform efforts and was very unpopular.  Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act which forbid the President to fire any government official without Senate approval.  Johnson ignored it and fired Secretary of War, Edward Stanton.

Johnson Impeached!  The House of Representatives impeached him three days later.  Impeach: Formally accuse and put on trial  Johnson was acquitted by ONE vote!  The House of Representatives impeached him three days later.  Impeach: Formally accuse and put on trial  Johnson was acquitted by ONE vote!