1. Understand what reconstruction is and the issues surrounding it
Flip Learning
TASK:
Revise the impact of the war on the North and the South in preparation of a quiz on what you have learnt.
For this lesson you were asked to complete some revision on the impact of the war on the North and the South.
In your pairs you have each been given a ‘Tarsia’ quiz which I would like you put together as quickly as possible. The first ones to do so will win a prize.
On your white board come up with 3 images and 1 word to describe either the North or the South after the war. The rest of us will then try and depict which side you have drawn!
Good learning:
Understand what reconstruction is and the issues surrounding it

2. To what extent can Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan be considered too lenient of the South?
Good learning:
Understand what Reconstruction is and the issues surrounding it.
Great learning:
Explain what Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction was
Even better:
Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South
Based on the question above what do you think this lesson will be about?
On your whiteboard write down what you think we will be covering this lesson and what we will be expected to know by the end

3. What is Reconstruction?
Good learning:
Understand what reconstruction is and the issues surrounding it
What is reconstruction?
Before we start to look at what happened with Reconstruction, we need to understand what it is. On your paper, write down the answer to the following question:
What do you think need reconstructing?
What is Reconstruction?
Now check your answer with the information below and make any amendments in green pen:
In 1865 the triumphant federal government faced the problem of restoring the Confederate states to the Union. This process is known as Reconstruction. The period from 1865 to 1877 is often called the ‘age of Reconstruction’. However, Reconstruction was not something that began in 1865: it was an issue from 1861 onwards and was really what the war was all about. Nor did the process of Reconstruction end in 1877: in most southern states it ended much earlier. The debate over timescale is by no means the only debate about Reconstruction. Virtually every aspect of the topic is subject to controversy.
Get them to think about whether it is just the south or the union between states.

4. What issues did Lincoln face with regards to reconstruction?
From the outset it was never going to be easy to put a plan for Reconstruction in place. This had not been done before and the Constitution provided little guidance (it had caused some of the problem in the first place!). Issues and solutions varied depending not only where you were from, but also your core principles.
TASK:
You have been given a series of statements that represent different view points on what people wanted out of Reconstruction. You decide whether each one represents the:
South’s view
North’s view
Radical Republican
Once completed, how much of a problem was this for Lincoln with regards to reconstruction?
Discussion point - Would the same groups be considered radical todays as they were in 1865? Who would be considered radical by today’s standards?
Good learning:
Understand what reconstruction is and the issues surrounding it

5. Explain what Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction was
What was Lincoln’s plan with regards to Reconstruction?
What kind of approach did Lincoln take with regards to emancipation?
Whilst Lincoln supported the end of slavery, he was also pragmatic moderate. When it came to Reconstruction he believed it was his concern, though realised that once the war had ended his powers would be reduced. In order to gain control over Reconstruction he stuck to his core aim – restore the Union as quickly as possible.
TASK:
Based on the different view points I would like you to come up with a Reconstruction plan as if you were Lincoln. Think about what you would do with regards to:
Slavery
Who is going to run the states
How will you deal with Confederate officials
Who is likely to challenge and support your ideas?
Great learning:
Explain what Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction was

6. What was Lincoln’s plan with regards to Reconstruction?
The Ten Percent Plan:
Lincoln used the military governors he in areas they had taken and were expected to work with whatever popular support they could find. The idea was to find enough loyal citizens to form a new state government. But what constituted as ‘enough’? Lincoln spelt out his Reconstruction ideas in December 1863 (under 18 months before the war had actually ended). He offered pardons to white southerners who would take an oath of allegiance to the Union. However, for many Confederate office holders and those who mistreated prisoners during the war, Lincoln would not allow them to join in new state governments. Eventually, when ten per cent of the 1860 electorate had taken the oath, a new state government could be established. Provided the state then accepted the abolition of slavery, Lincoln agreed to recognise its government. In early 1864 Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas had used the Ten Percent Plan to set up new governments.
Great learning:
Explain what Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction was
TASK:
Compare your plan to that of Lincoln’s.
How different is it? Explain why.
What ideas underpinned Lincoln’s?
Who do you think would have supported / challenged it?
Even better:
Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South

7. Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South
To what extent was Lincoln’s plan too lenient on the South?
TASK:
Now look at the Wade –Davis Bill (page 196) and answer the following questions:
How does it differ to Lincoln’s plan?
Overall, how radical was it?
In what way does its introduction reflect that Lincoln was being too Lenient on the South?
In order to assess how lenient Lincoln’s plan was, we need to assess the reaction. Radical Republicans generally disagreed with Lincoln and this included the likes of Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner and Benjamin Wade. Many of whom had sat in congress for years and therefore had influence on key committees. Most had good abolitionist credentials and some had supported equal rights for back Americans. However, some have argued that their motivation, particularly for black suffrage, was a political rather than ideal motive. This was because the Democratic Party would pose a threat and by allowing ex-slaves to vote, as well as disenfranchising the rebels, it would allow the Republicans to remain supreme. But there were many radicals that did not separate idealism and political pragmatism and therefore were not shy of airing their belief about black Americans being entitled to vote along with the fact it could secure the Republican position.
Even better:
Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South

8. Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South
To what extent was Lincoln’s plan too lenient on the South?
Whilst the Radical’s Republican reflect the view that Lincoln was too Lenient, we need to consider the other side of the argument.
TASK:
Create your own list of reasons why Lincoln might not be considered too lenient on the South.
Slavery was ended and slaves confiscated
Lincoln's belief that there was a substantial pro-Union population in the South (possible naively) and so believed that 10% would be the tip of the iceberg.  He therefore had faith that the South no longer controlled by the plantation owners would be fair in reconstruction.
He seemed to be moving towards black people having equality before the law in 1865 and talked on occasion of giving the vote to those who fought for the Union (at least)
As stated in his 2nd inaugural address sought ' malice towards none' and a 'just and lasting peace', this was not weakness or  lenience but honest and honourable aims
Seeing reconstruction as a Presidential matter not a Congressional one was for Lincoln a valid constitutional position not aimed at preventing Radical Republicans 
2. Compare and add to your list with the reasons here and number them in order starting with the main reason Lincoln could be seen to not be Lenient.
Even better:
Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South

9. To what extent was Lincoln’s plan too lenient on the South?
The fact that Lincoln was assassinated on 14th April 1865 means that we don’t know where Lincoln was going with his plan. He did seem to be moving cautiously towards the view that black people should have equality and possibly the vote, if they had fought in the war. However, he was generous when it came to punishment of Confederate leaders amongst other things, stating ‘malice towards none’ and of ‘just and lasting peace’. He left a cabinet that was divided on a host of Reconstruction matters.
Go back to the other side and undermine some of the counter-arguments made on your original statement.
TASK:
Now that you have looked at the arguments for both sides, I would like you to conduct a silent debate on the tables at the back of the room.
One side of the room will argue that he was lenient on the South and the other said will say he wasn’t and write evidence on the desks to support your statement.
You will then swap round and argue against the points on the other side, but without making a sound.
Write on desks – will need whiteboard pens and baby wipes.
Even better:
Evaluate How lenient Lincoln’s plan is on the South

10. Put your name on the post-it and place along the Continuum
‘Lincoln’s plan was too lenient on the South’. How far do you agree with this view?
Not
lenient
Very
lenient
Put your name on the post-it and place along the Continuum

11. Flip Learning For next lesson you will need to: TASK:
Explained what happened during the Lincoln assassination.
You will need to create a timeline for reconstruction. Use the next slide to help guide what you need to include. You will need to make some overview notes on each of the sections.
Try and watch the film ‘Glory’(1989)
Starter for next lesson?
Complete a source planning grid on the Lincoln source in relation to how valuable it is in understanding Lincoln’s aim with regards to Reconstruction.

12. RECONSTRUCTION Johnson’s impeachment p.203 Thirteenth Amendment p.189
Freedmen Bureau p.193
Fourteenth Amendment p.202
Lincoln’s assassination p.197
Andrew Johnson: who is he? P.197-8
1866 Civil Rights Act p.201
Johnson’s Christmas amnesty
Johnson’s impeachment p.203
President Grant p.203
Fifteenth Amendment p.204
Klu Klux Klan p
1875 Civil Rights Act p.1875
1876 Presidential election p.214
Christmas amnesty