1. The years of Reconstruction "were years of revolutionary turmoil, with the elemental passions predominant....The prevailing note was one of tragedy....Never have American public men in responsible positions, directing the destiny of the nation, been so brutal, hypocritical, and corrupt. The constitution was treated as a doormat on which politicians and army officers wiped their feet after wading in the muck....The southern people literally were put to the torture...[by] rugged conspirators...[who] assumed the pose of philanthropists and patriots." – historian Claude G. Bowers, 1929

2. Assassination of Lincoln April 14,1865

3. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth Was killed while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre Occurred five days after Lee’s surrender Part of a conspiracy to assassinate: Secretary of State Seward, VP Johnson and other Union officials Wilkes Booth died by gunshot; other conspirators hanged Lincoln’s body was taken by train from D.C. to Illinois (1700 miles)

4. Reactions to Reconstruction… Reconstruction has been judged as a failure “The North won the war, but the South won Reconstruction” Missed opportunity to modernize and liberalize the South Republicans accused of being vindictive North sold out the black people

5. The fate of the country… South was in ruins (debris, burned cities, hardly any animals left alive etc.) 250,000 white men died from wounds/disease Banking system was in ruin Slavery was dead but nothing had replaced it Northerners not willing to forgive  Andersonville: 100 men a day died (31,000 confined to 16 acres of tents and little food)

6. Johnson and Reconstruction Granted amnesty to Confederates who signed an oath of loyalty to the Union Political, military officials and rich Southerners were required to apply for special pardon Dec. 1865: all former Confederate states (except Texas) were back in the Union and elected to Congress Johnson declares the Union is restored

7. Problems with Johnson Congress refused to acknowledge Southern representatives Claimed Johnson wasn’t strict enough with the South Didn’t prohibit black codes from being written in Southern states

8. Legislation during Reconstruction 13 th Amendment (December 1865)  Abolishment of Slavery 14 th Amendment (July 1868)  Due Process (applicable mainly to the states) 15 th Amendment (February 1870)  Race/Color does not matter in regard to voting.

9. Impeachment Impeach: to charge with improper conduct in office Only three presidents have been through the impeachment process  Andrew Johnson: 1868 (Secretary of War Stanton)  Richard Nixon: 1974 (Watergate)  Bill Clinton: 1998-99 (Concealment of extramarital affair)

10. Johnson Impeachment Accused of defying the Tenure of Office Act  If a position requires senate confirmation then there must be approval of any removal  President can suspend official during Senate breaks  Senate votes on the suspension when they return Senate met when back in session  Refused to agree with removal of Stanton Johnson’s attorneys argued that Tenure of Office Act is unconstitutional  Infringed on executive power  Had been appointed by Lincoln not Johnson

11. Johnson on trial… House charged Johnson with 11 counts of misconduct Trial lasted six weeks Conviction requires 2/3rds majority vote in the Senate Johnson was acquitted

12. End of Reconstruction Election of 1868  Ulysses Grant vs. Horatio Seymour  Grant won 53% of the popular vote  Armed violent Whites prevented African Americans from voting in the South Sharecropping  Wealthy backer give farmers seeds, supplies and land in exchange for a part of the crop  Could end with farmer being in debt or not able to support themselves Gerrymandering  Dividing voting districts to decrease African American representation in certain areas  Led to Democrats controlling House of Representatives (1875)