Reconstruction and the New South Chapter 4

Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan Dec. 8, 1863 he issued a proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction This plan offered a pardon to Confederates if they would swear allegiance to US Constitution This plan permitted a state to rejoin the Union when 10% of voting population swore allegiance

Opposition to Lincoln’s plan Radicals opposed Lincoln’s plan “restore old planter aristocracy” Radicals came up with Wade-Davis Bill-50% of voting population would take an oath that they “never voluntarily supported the Confederacy”

Johnson’s Plan At first, he publicly announced “rebels should be punished” May 29, 1865 his plan gave a complete pardon to Confederates (except officers) as long as their state nullified secession, abolished slavery and rejected any debts they owed to the Confederate government

Johnson’s supporters Southerners, including Robert E. Lee, supported Johnson’s plan Confederate leaders made sure freedmen did not receive voting rights Johnson’s leniency encouraged former Confederates to adopt the Black Codes

Congressional Reconstruction Republicans disagreed over the path of Reconstruction Moderates-keep Confederates out of office, give Af. Am. equality except the right to vote Radicals-insisted Af. Am. be given the right to vote Dec. 4, 1865-when Congress convened they refused to seat the Southern representatives

Congressional Reconstruction continued…. President Johnson was outraged and publicly attacked Republicans and vetoed their Reconstruction efforts As a result, many moderate Republicans joined the radical Republicans and passed the Civil Rights Act and the Freedman’s Bureau Bill over his veto The 14 th Amendment, Reconstruction Acts and 15 th Amendment followed