Johnson v. Congress on Reconstruction

Bell Work What do you think is the first thing the government needs to take care of in terms pf the South?  Things to consider:  War had cost many lives... Including Lincoln’s  Freed Slaves, 4 million new citizens  Protection of Constitution

Struggle of Early Reconstruction Conflict between the President versus a Radical Republican Congress. Where the President wanted more lenient laws and Congress wanted much more harsher ones

Lincoln’s Reconstruction 10% Plan: Stated that only ten percent of those who voted in 1860 had to swear loyalty to the Union to get the right to vote back. Conflict: R.R. wanted an “iron-clad” oaths, an oath saying they never fought against the Union. But later just wanted a majority of the states’ voters to swear loyalty

Freedman’s Bureau Freedman’s Bureau Bill passed in March 3, Formed to help provide aid to the Freedmen, ex-slaves, including legal help, contract negotiations and day to day services including food, marriage unions and clothing. Myth: 40 acres and a mule

Johnson Reconstruction Views before President: The South needs to be punished, people need to be put on trial for treason. Actions after he took office: Issued a general pardon. Almost no CSA leaders spent time in prison and only 1 was hung.  Henry Wirz- Commandant at the Andersonville Prison, POW camp and many died there, was the only man hung for war crimes

Congress fears Johnson’s plan Now that freedmen helped with the population count, the South had more representation. Congress feared now that the South was given a higher representation after going to war. “Black Codes” laws that made freedmen second class citizens were passed by Southern governments

Congress’ Complaints against Johnson Congress wanted tougher re-entry conditions: viewed South as “new territories” Johnson said that Reconstruction ended when the 13 th Amendment was ratified Voting rights were not given to many freedmen or refugees

Closing………. Do you think that Lincoln would have done better than Johnson? Lincoln’s plan was similar…….