1. Unit XVI: Reconstruction

2. Reconstruction Raised Three Questions 1. Can the United States be truly united? 2. Can blacks and whites live together? 3. Who runs this country? What the War had done to the South 1. Physically 2. Legally and Constitutionally 3. Emotionally

3. The first northern efforts to reconstruct the South took place during the Civil War itself. On Dec. 8, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. The first northern efforts to reconstruct the South took place during the Civil War itself. On Dec. 8, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. Lincoln was prepared to recognize Southern state governments established by only one tenth the number of voters in the 1860 presidential election. Lincoln was prepared to recognize Southern state governments established by only one tenth the number of voters in the 1860 presidential election.

4. These persons were simply required to take an oath supporting the United States Constitution and the Union. These persons were simply required to take an oath supporting the United States Constitution and the Union. In 1864 Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill, which required 50% of the population to take an oath of loyalty and stronger protection of emancipation. Lincoln however pocket vetoed the bill. In 1864 Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill, which required 50% of the population to take an oath of loyalty and stronger protection of emancipation. Lincoln however pocket vetoed the bill.

5. Lincoln had no intention of distributing the estates of the masters among the freedmen. Under Lincoln confiscated lands in some parts of the South were for a time distributed among the freedmen. Subsequently, however, much of this land was restored to its former owners. Lincoln had no intention of distributing the estates of the masters among the freedmen. Under Lincoln confiscated lands in some parts of the South were for a time distributed among the freedmen. Subsequently, however, much of this land was restored to its former owners.

6. The failure to provide lands to the freedmen helped make them the easy victims of economic exploitation and political intimidation during and after Reconstruction. The failure to provide lands to the freedmen helped make them the easy victims of economic exploitation and political intimidation during and after Reconstruction.

7. Opposing views on Reconstruction Throughout the summer of 1865 Johnson had proceeded to carry out Lincoln's reconstruction program, with minor modifications. By presidential proclamation he appointed a governor for each of the seceded states and freely restored political rights to large numbers of southern citizens through use of the presidential pardoning power. Throughout the summer of 1865 Johnson had proceeded to carry out Lincoln's reconstruction program, with minor modifications. By presidential proclamation he appointed a governor for each of the seceded states and freely restored political rights to large numbers of southern citizens through use of the presidential pardoning power.

8. He disenfranchised all former military and civil officers of the Confederacy and all those who owned property worth $20,000 or more and made their estates liable to confiscation. The obvious intent was to shift political control in the South from the old planter aristocracy to the small farmers and artisans, and it promised to accomplish a revolution in Southern society. He disenfranchised all former military and civil officers of the Confederacy and all those who owned property worth $20,000 or more and made their estates liable to confiscation. The obvious intent was to shift political control in the South from the old planter aristocracy to the small farmers and artisans, and it promised to accomplish a revolution in Southern society.

10. In due time conventions were held in each of the former Confederate states to repeal the ordinances of secession, repudiate the war debt, and draft new state constitutions. Eventually the people of each state elected a governor and a state legislature, and when the legislature of a state ratified the Thirteenth Amendment, the new state government was recognized and the state was admitted back in the Union again. In due time conventions were held in each of the former Confederate states to repeal the ordinances of secession, repudiate the war debt, and draft new state constitutions. Eventually the people of each state elected a governor and a state legislature, and when the legislature of a state ratified the Thirteenth Amendment, the new state government was recognized and the state was admitted back in the Union again.

11. By the end of 1865, this process, with a few exceptions, was completed. But the states that had seceded were not yet fully restored to their former positions within the Union because the Congress had not yet seated their U. S. Senators and Representatives, who were now coming to Washington to take their places in the federal legislature. By the end of 1865, this process, with a few exceptions, was completed. But the states that had seceded were not yet fully restored to their former positions within the Union because the Congress had not yet seated their U. S. Senators and Representatives, who were now coming to Washington to take their places in the federal legislature.

12. Both Lincoln and Johnson had foreseen that the Congress would have the right to deny southern legislators seats in the United States Senate or House of Representatives, under the clause of the Constitution that says: "Each house shall be the judge of the qualifications of its own members." Both Lincoln and Johnson had foreseen that the Congress would have the right to deny southern legislators seats in the United States Senate or House of Representatives, under the clause of the Constitution that says: "Each house shall be the judge of the qualifications of its own members."

13. This denial came to pass when, under the leadership of Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, those Congressmen who sought to punish the south refused to seat its duly elected Senators and Representatives. Then, within the next few months, the Congress proceeded to work out a plan of southern reconstruction quite different from the one Lincoln had started and Johnson had continued. This denial came to pass when, under the leadership of Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, those Congressmen who sought to punish the south refused to seat its duly elected Senators and Representatives. Then, within the next few months, the Congress proceeded to work out a plan of southern reconstruction quite different from the one Lincoln had started and Johnson had continued.

14. Eventually President Johnson alienated Congress, which led them to take over Reconstruction. Eventually President Johnson alienated Congress, which led them to take over Reconstruction. He had done little to stop a campaign of terror that extralegal organizations (KKK) had launched against Southern freedmen and pro- Union whites. He had done little to stop a campaign of terror that extralegal organizations (KKK) had launched against Southern freedmen and pro- Union whites. When Congress refused to seat the newly elected Confederate leaders, Johnson responded by vetoing Congressional Reconstruction legislation and personally attacking Republican leaders. When Congress refused to seat the newly elected Confederate leaders, Johnson responded by vetoing Congressional Reconstruction legislation and personally attacking Republican leaders.

15. Johnson vetoed a Civil Rights bill, as well as a bill to extend the life of the Freedmen's Bureau, which Congress established just before the end of the Civil War to aid and protect the freed slaves. Johnson vetoed a Civil Rights bill, as well as a bill to extend the life of the Freedmen's Bureau, which Congress established just before the end of the Civil War to aid and protect the freed slaves.

18. He also condemned the proposed 14th Amendment, which all Southern states except Tennessee refused to pass. He also condemned the proposed 14th Amendment, which all Southern states except Tennessee refused to pass. Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights bill was overridden, and the 14th Amendment--which, like the Civil Rights bill, conferred citizenship upon the freedmen--was eventually ratified. Johnson's veto of the Civil Rights bill was overridden, and the 14th Amendment--which, like the Civil Rights bill, conferred citizenship upon the freedmen--was eventually ratified.

19. This was the first of several civil rights bills passed near the end of Reconstruction aimed at countering the effects of Black Codes enacted in the South. The codes were Southern laws forcing blacks to live in rural areas; sign labor contracts, and avoid confrontation with whites. This was the first of several civil rights bills passed near the end of Reconstruction aimed at countering the effects of Black Codes enacted in the South. The codes were Southern laws forcing blacks to live in rural areas; sign labor contracts, and avoid confrontation with whites.

20. Republicans, who wanted to punish the South, were lead in part by Charles Sumner. The moderate Republicans agreed with Lincoln’s viewpoint that states should be re-admitted swiftly but under Congressional terms, but sided with the Radicals against Johnson’s leadership. Republicans, who wanted to punish the South, were lead in part by Charles Sumner. The moderate Republicans agreed with Lincoln’s viewpoint that states should be re-admitted swiftly but under Congressional terms, but sided with the Radicals against Johnson’s leadership.

21. Overall the Republicans wanted to ensure that they controlled Southern politics in large part due to the fact that newly freed slaves increased the number of eligible southern voters therefore increasing the number of southern representatives (12) in the House and the addition of twelve electoral votes. Overall the Republicans wanted to ensure that they controlled Southern politics in large part due to the fact that newly freed slaves increased the number of eligible southern voters therefore increasing the number of southern representatives (12) in the House and the addition of twelve electoral votes.

22. The newly created Joint Committee on Reconstruction reported (Apr. 28, 1866) that the ex-Confederate states were in a state of civil disorder, and hence, had not held valid elections. It also maintained that Reconstruction was a congressional, not an executive, function. The newly created Joint Committee on Reconstruction reported (Apr. 28, 1866) that the ex-Confederate states were in a state of civil disorder, and hence, had not held valid elections. It also maintained that Reconstruction was a congressional, not an executive, function.

23. Under the First Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867--also passed over Johnson's veto--military rule was to be imposed on the South until new state constitutional conventions were called and new state constitutions written. The South was divided into five military districts in which the commanding officer would determine eligible voters. Under the First Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867--also passed over Johnson's veto--military rule was to be imposed on the South until new state constitutional conventions were called and new state constitutions written. The South was divided into five military districts in which the commanding officer would determine eligible voters.

25. White Southerners who had participated in the rebellion were disenfranchised, while blacks, Southern Unionists, and Northern whites enjoyed the franchise and assumed political leadership in the Southern states. White Southerners who had participated in the rebellion were disenfranchised, while blacks, Southern Unionists, and Northern whites enjoyed the franchise and assumed political leadership in the Southern states. Before a state could be readmitted to the Union, more than half of its white male voters had to take an oath of loyalty to the Union. Before a state could be readmitted to the Union, more than half of its white male voters had to take an oath of loyalty to the Union.

26. Also, black males had to be given the right to vote, and the 14th Amendment had to be ratified. To get a clean start for reentry into the Union, all state governments elected during the time of Presidents Lincoln and Johnson were no longer valid and new elections were to be held. Also, black males had to be given the right to vote, and the 14th Amendment had to be ratified. To get a clean start for reentry into the Union, all state governments elected during the time of Presidents Lincoln and Johnson were no longer valid and new elections were to be held.

27. The radical Republican governments in the South attempted to deal constructively with the problems left by the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Led by so-called carpetbaggers, scalawags and freedmen, they began to rebuild the Southern economy and society. The radical Republican governments in the South attempted to deal constructively with the problems left by the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Led by so-called carpetbaggers, scalawags and freedmen, they began to rebuild the Southern economy and society.

28. Agricultural production was restored, roads rebuilt, a more equitable tax system adopted, and schooling extended to blacks and poor whites. The freedmen's civil and political rights were guaranteed, and blacks were able to participate in the political and economic life of the South as full citizens for the first time. Agricultural production was restored, roads rebuilt, a more equitable tax system adopted, and schooling extended to blacks and poor whites. The freedmen's civil and political rights were guaranteed, and blacks were able to participate in the political and economic life of the South as full citizens for the first time.

29. The governments established under Congressional Reconstruction made notable and lasting achievements. They established free public schools in which many thousands of blacks and poor whites began to learn to read and write. They removed property qualifications for voting and abolished imprisonment for debt. The governments established under Congressional Reconstruction made notable and lasting achievements. They established free public schools in which many thousands of blacks and poor whites began to learn to read and write. They removed property qualifications for voting and abolished imprisonment for debt.

30. Cruel and extreme forms of punishment were declared illegal. Crimes punishable by death were drastically reduced in number. Large sums of money were spent on valuable public-works projects. Cruel and extreme forms of punishment were declared illegal. Crimes punishable by death were drastically reduced in number. Large sums of money were spent on valuable public-works projects.

31. When President Andrew Johnson removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office on February 21, the Radical Republican-dominated House of Representatives accused him of violating the 1867 Tenure of Office Act, which prevented the president from dismissing any federal officeholder who had been appointed with the consent of the Senate. When President Andrew Johnson removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from office on February 21, the Radical Republican-dominated House of Representatives accused him of violating the 1867 Tenure of Office Act, which prevented the president from dismissing any federal officeholder who had been appointed with the consent of the Senate.

32. The Radical Republicans, who disliked Johnson's plans for reconstruction of the former Confederate states, used the president's violation of the law to organize an impeachment vote against him for "high crimes and misdemeanors," which they won by a 126 to 47 margin. The Radical Republicans, who disliked Johnson's plans for reconstruction of the former Confederate states, used the president's violation of the law to organize an impeachment vote against him for "high crimes and misdemeanors," which they won by a 126 to 47 margin.

35. On May 16 and May 26, the Senate held votes on the charges against the president. Both times the vote was 35 for conviction and 19 for acquittal-- one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. After their loss, the Radical Republicans dropped the proceedings against Johnson. On May 16 and May 26, the Senate held votes on the charges against the president. Both times the vote was 35 for conviction and 19 for acquittal-- one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. After their loss, the Radical Republicans dropped the proceedings against Johnson.

36. Moderate Republicans refused to impeach Johnson for fear of destabilizing the government, no vice president was chosen after Lincoln’s death which meant President Pro-Tempore of the Senate Ben Wade would become President and he was disliked by the business community. Moderate Republicans refused to impeach Johnson for fear of destabilizing the government, no vice president was chosen after Lincoln’s death which meant President Pro-Tempore of the Senate Ben Wade would become President and he was disliked by the business community.

37. By the mid-1870's Democrats had begun winning elections in the south as voting restrictions were relaxed and white voters took control of local elections. Democratic victory in the South led to a massive scaling back of Reconstruction's accomplishments as southerners claimed that reconstruction governments were corrupt. Taxes were slashed; so too was spending on education, especially for black schools. By the mid-1870's Democrats had begun winning elections in the south as voting restrictions were relaxed and white voters took control of local elections. Democratic victory in the South led to a massive scaling back of Reconstruction's accomplishments as southerners claimed that reconstruction governments were corrupt. Taxes were slashed; so too was spending on education, especially for black schools.

38. Throughout the South, a campaign ensued to put blacks in “their place,” which culminated around the turn of the century when one state after another passed laws providing for the rigid segregation of the races and for the disfranchisement of blacks through such devices as literacy tests, poll taxes, and political primaries that were open only to whites. Throughout the South, a campaign ensued to put blacks in “their place,” which culminated around the turn of the century when one state after another passed laws providing for the rigid segregation of the races and for the disfranchisement of blacks through such devices as literacy tests, poll taxes, and political primaries that were open only to whites.

39. These devices prevented almost all Southern blacks and some poor whites from voting or choosing candidates. These devices prevented almost all Southern blacks and some poor whites from voting or choosing candidates. Demobilization at the end of the war by the Union army took place so quickly that there was only a small occupation force in the south, which disappeared in 1877 following a political compromise. Demobilization at the end of the war by the Union army took place so quickly that there was only a small occupation force in the south, which disappeared in 1877 following a political compromise.

40. In the 1876 election four southern states had returned controversial votes which would decide the presidency. A special commission was created to determine the winner. Republicans managed to gain the essential votes for Rutherford B. Hayes in return for Hayes’s promise to end reconstruction. In the 1876 election four southern states had returned controversial votes which would decide the presidency. A special commission was created to determine the winner. Republicans managed to gain the essential votes for Rutherford B. Hayes in return for Hayes’s promise to end reconstruction.