1. Reconstruction
GA Studies

2. Reconstruction
Freedman’s Bureau: A government agency established in March 1865 to help both former slaves and poor whites cope with their everyday problems by providing food, clothing and other necessities

3. Reconstruction
Reconstruction: a plan to rebuild the South and restore southern states to the Union as quickly and easily as possible
Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan:
All southerners were to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. (exclude high ranking military officials & Confederate government officials)
After 10% of the voters in a state took the oath, the state could form a government and ask to be readmitted to the Union

4. Reconstruction Disagreement with Lincoln’s plan:
Congress felt the southern states should be punished

5. Reconstruction Johnson’s original plan:
The same as Lincoln’s except he expanded the groups who were not granted a general pardon

6. Reconstruction Disenfranchised:
To take away the voting rights of others

7. Reconstruction Three Additions to Johnson’s Plan:
States had to approve (ratify) the 13th amendment
States had to nullify the articles of secession
States had to promise not to repay institutions and individuals who had funded the Confederacy

8. Reconstruction
Purpose of the 13th Amendment:
Abolish slavery

9. Reconstruction Black Codes:
Laws passed in the South to restrict the rights of freedmen
These laws often controlled the types of jobs freedmen could have, permitted whipping as a punishment, and established labor periods (sunrise to sunset)
These laws also permitted prison for jobless blacks so many worked for very low wages
Did not allow freed men to vote, serve on juries or testify against white men in court

10. Reconstruction Congress’ response to Black Codes:
They passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866
Extended citizenship to African Americans
Gave federal government the right to intervene in issues of discrimination
14th amendment was also passed at this time

11. Reconstruction 14th Amendment: Gave citizenship to freedmen
Ensured equal protection under the law

12. Reconstruction Congressional Reconstruction:
Had to ratify 14th amendment
When southern states refused:
Congress invalidated the new governments
States were placed under military rule

13. Reconstruction
Three improvements made during the Constitutional Convention of 1867:
Civil rights for all GA citizens
Free public education for all children
Allowed married women to control their own property (1st state to do this)
New governor:
Rufus Bullock - Republican

14. Reconstruction Henry McNeal Turner:
One of 29 black legislators elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1868
What happened to the 32 African Americans elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1868?
They were expelled after it was determined they had been given the right to vote, but not to hold office

15. Reconstruction Ku Klux Klan:
A secret organization that tried to keep freedmen from exercising their new civil rights
Started in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865
Methods of Terrorism used:
Intimidation included beatings, whippings, murder

16. Reconstruction 15th amendment:
Gave all male citizens the right to vote

17. Reconstruction Georgia’s readmission was completed after they:
Ruled that blacks were eligible to hold office
Reseated the expelled African American representatives
Approved 14th amendment
Ratified 15th amendment
Democrats regained control of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly

18. Reconstruction Demand on soil:
Because the bankers put such high expectations on farmers (expected them to grow cotton & tobacco crops year after year) the soil was ruined
Farmers became poorer and poorer
Cotton was still the most important crop in Georgia

19. Reconstruction Other businesses expanded during Reconstruction:
Industry increased because of increased cotton demand (textile mills increased)
Banks began to reopen due to increased demand
Dry goods stores, shops, and hotels reopened
Railroad traffic & shipping increased as shipping demands grew