1. 12.1: The Politics of Reconstruction What problems had to be resolved?
Southern states: How would they be readmitted into the Union?
Former slaves?
Governing?
Southern economy?
How to fix the physical destruction of the nation?

2. Lincoln-Kennedy Connection
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both were shot in the head.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.

3. Lincoln-Kennedy Connection
Both successors were named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth was born in Lee Harvey Oswald was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are comprised of fifteen letters
Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse. Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

4. Three Main Questions Raised by the Civil War:
Can the U.S. be truly united?
Can blacks and whites live together?
Who runs this country?

5. What had the War done to the South…
Physically ?
Legally and Constitutionally?
Emotionally?

6. What is Reconstruction?
The period during which the U.S. began to rebuild after the Civil War, lasting from The term also refers to the process the federal government used to readmit the Confederate states.

7. Three Plans for Reconstruction
How are we going to rebuild the nation?
Three Plans for Reconstruction

8. Lincoln’s Plan - Proclamation of Amnesty and Recon (10% Plan)
Goal: restoring Union ASAP through lenient approach
pardons granted to all who take oath of loyalty to the US and pledge to obey all federal laws pertaining to slavery
High Confed officials and military leaders temporarily excluded from process
When one-tenth of # of voters who participated in 1860 election had taken oath w/in particular state, state could launch new gov’t and elect reps to Congress
Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia moved toward readmission

9. Andrew Johnson’s Plan
Goal: follow Lincoln’s plan w/ minor adjustments  proposed shortly after Lincoln’s assassination
withdraw secession ordinance
pardons granted for taking loyalty oath (except: high Confed officials and persons owning property valued over $20,000)
3) must ratify 13th Amendment [abolished slavery]
***Most seceded states began compliance w/ the program
Congress not in session no immediate objection
Congress reconvened in 1865
- believed S states not much different
- not enough done to benefit freed Aas
- refused to seat S reps

11. Congressional Initial Plan
Goals:
- prevent Lincoln’s plan
- punish Confederates
- protect freedmen (former slaves freed by the 13th Amendment)
July 1864, Congress passed Wade-Davis Bill  own Recon plan
1) state must have majority take oath of loyalty
2) state must formally abolish slavery
3) no Confed officials could participate in new gov’ts
*** Lincoln did not approve of this plan and exercised his pocket veto

12. Congress and Presidents
w/ Lincoln, created Freedmen’s Bureau [fed aid to freedmen] and passed 13th Amendment [abolished slavery  fed gov’t power to enforce]
w/ Johnson, keep his plan but:
- extend Freedmen’s Bureau
- Civil Rights Act of 1866  end black codes and give freedmen equal rights in S or fed gov’t gets involved
*** Johnson vetoes both [racist]

13. Rad Republican Plan
Goals: revenge, keep political power, aid freedmen
Proposed:
14th Amendment: [not ratified…at first]
- full citizenship for freedmen
- keep Confed leaders from office
- reduce state’s reps in Congress if denying right to vote
Reconstruction Act [ ] to reorganize S states
- establish 5 military districts in S under control of Union generals [e.g. supervise elections]
- states must ratify 14th Amend.
- Congress final approval of new state constitutions

14. Johnson Impeached
Republicans dominate 1866 elections [2/3 majority in both houses]
Johnson continues to oppose
Congress passed new laws [over Johnson vetoes]
- Tenure of Office Act: Senate power to approve changes to Cabinet positions [wanted to protect Sec’y of War Stanton]
Johnson takes actions, most importantly trying to fire Stanton
Congress impeached Johnson [violating Ten of Off Act]
- failed to remove him by 1 vote