1. CHAPTER 4: THE UNION IN PERIL
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE CIVIL WAR

2. RECONSTRUCTION: SECTION 4
The Civil War had ended. Slavery and secession were no more Now what?
How does the Union integrate the South back into American society?
How do 4 million newly freed African slaves integrate themselves into society?

3. The Problems Of Peace
Reconstruction tries to answer the major questions facing the country
How would the south rebuild its shattered society & economy?
How would the liberated Blacks (4 million “freedmen”) be converted to free citizens?
What was the role of the federal government in this process?
Under what conditions would southern states be reintegrated into the Union?
As states that never really left or conquered territory?
Who would direct reconstruction, the southern states, the President or Congress?
What to do with confederate leaders?

4. The Problems Of Peace Complications
Conflicts that existed before and during the Civil War continued after the war.
Regions, political parties, economic interests
North wanted to continue economic progress
South needed a cheap labor force
Freedmen/women hoped to achieve independence and equal rights
Traditional beliefs limited the actions of the federal government
Limited government, states’ rights
Ideas of equality of opportunity and personal responsibility
Physical rebuilding was left to individuals & the states

5. Major Problems InThe South
Social and economic system had collapsed.
Key Southern cities were devastated.
Banking system had collapsed under run-away inflation.
Factories were destroyed
Transportation system completely broken down
Agriculture, major economic force of the south, totally collapsed.
Southern rich were suddenly much poorer.
Many Southerners were beaten but still defiant and were not yet emotionally prepared to reintegrate with the north. (“Lost Cause”)

6. I. A Reconstruction Timeline

7. A. Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866): Black Codes & Johnson’s Pardons

8. Students at a Freedman’s Bureau School
B. Congressional Reconstruction ( ): Reconstruction Act of 1867, 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments, Force Acts, Civil Rights Acts
Students at a Freedman’s Bureau School

9. C. Troops in the South (1870-1877)

10. THE POLITICS OF RECONSTRUCTION
The politics of Reconstruction was complicated by the fact that Lincoln, his VP and successor Andrew Johnson, and the Congress all had different ideas of how Reconstruction should be handled
ANDREW JOHNSON

11. Table 16.1 Contrasting Views of Reconstruction: President and Congress
Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Watch the Video: The Promise and Failure of Reconstruction
This video discusses reconstruction and the rebuilding of the South. Students are asked to understand the process of Reconstruction and consider how successful it was and how it may have affected southern attitudes toward the North.

12. A three way political battle
Different goals and agendas
Presidents (Lincoln & Andrew Johnson)
Versus
Congress (Moderates & Radicals)
Southern states

13. President
Southern states
Congress

14. Reconstruction Presidential version Congressional version
Focus on getting the CSA states back into the union as quickly as possible
Congressional version
Radical Republicans were focused on trying to change the culture and politics of the South

15. Reconstruction Politics – Who Makes the Rules?
Presidents’ propose policies
States react in ways that upset Congress
Congress reacts and passes different policies
President vetoes laws
Congress overrides vetoes
Repeat

16. LINCOLN’S PLAN
Lincoln made it clear that he favored a lenient Reconstruction policy
His Ten Percent Plan called for a pardon of all Confederates who would swear allegiance to Union (oath)
When 10% of the voting population of a state took the oath, a state would be readmitted into the Union

17. Congress Reacts Congress disagreed with Lincoln’s approach.
Congressional Republican theory?
Who in charge of readmission?.
Radical Republican Goals.
Congress passes the Wade-Davis Bill in 1864
Much more demanding
50% required for loyalty oath
Only non-Confederates could vote for a new state constitution
Lincoln reacts: “pocket veto”
Lincoln assassinated

18. Congress v. President Johnson: What should be done for former slaves?
A. Andrew Johnson: Emancipation Only

19. B. Congress: Emancipation (13th amendment)
Education & land (Freedman’s Bureau?)
Equality under the law (14th Amendment)
Vote (15th Amendment)
Enforcement (Reconstruction Act of 1867, Force Acts)

20. Freedmen Define Freedom
Immediately after war, freedom for Blacks depended on where the army was
Many in South rejected validity of Emancipation Proclamation
Reaction of Blacks
Blacks hit the road
Exodusters
Black schools
Black churches

21. EDUCATION WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BUREAU
FREEMEN’S BUREAU
Congress also passed the Freemen’s Bureau Act which provided much needed aid to African Americans
Included in the Act was money for education, hospitals, social services, churches, and help with labor contracts and discrimination cases
EDUCATION WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BUREAU

22. The Freedmen’s Bureau Greatest success? Education
Failed to provide land, as authorized

23. Southern View of Freedmen’s Bur.
Southerners resented the Bureau as northern intrusion.
Pres. Johnson didn’t support it.
It died in 1872.
One of many failures of reconstruction.
Plenty to eat and nothing to do.

24. Johnson: The Tailor President
He had started from very humble beginnings.
Never attended school.
Enters politics in Tenn.
Champion of poor whites and mountain whites.
As Tenn. Democratic Congressman he refused to secede with Tenn.
Forced to flee Tenn.

25. Johnson: The Tailor President
Appointed War Governor after Tenn. partially redeemed by Union Army.
Appointed VP when Lincoln needs to cement the Union Party and keep the vote of border states and Union democrats.
Dogmatic believer in State’s Right and the Constitution.

26. JOHNSON’S PLAN
After Lincoln’s death, his VP & successor Andrew Johnson announced his own plan
It differed only slightly from Lincolns: He excluded high ranking Confederates and wealthy planters from the oath, but did pardon 13,000 while contending that, “White men alone must manage the South”

27. Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction
Johnson agreed with Lincoln’s 10% plan. Recognized several 10% governments.
Introduced his plan 8/1865.
Disenfranchised southerners with property over $20,000.
They could petition him for a pardon
called for special state conventions
to repeal declarations of secession,
repudiating confederate debts and
ratifying 13th Amendment prohibiting slavery

28. The Southern States react
All 11 of the ex-Confederate states qualified under Johnson’s plan
None of the new constitutions extended voting rights to Freedmen
Former leaders of the Confederacy were elected to Congress

29. The Southern States react
Southern states adopted “black codes”
Restricted the rights and movements of the newly freed Blacks
Prohibited blacks from either renting land or borrowing money to buy land
Placed freedmen into a form of semi-slavery by forcing them, as “vagrants” and “apprentices” to sign work contracts
Prohibited blacks from testifying against whites in court

30. Congress reacts “Who won the war?”
Northern republicans challenged the results of southern elections – refused to seat new Congressmen
Based on Articles I & IV of Constitution
“Each house shall be the judge of the elections … and qualifications of its own members …” (I)
“The US shall guarantee to every state … a republican form of government” (IV)
Also a political motive
No more “3/5s rule” so the south would gain seats in the House of Representatives
Southern population, for purposes of allocating House seats, goes up by 2.4 million

31. Congress overrode Johnson’s veto of Freedmen’s Bureau
CONGRESS PLAN
Congress worked hard to shift the focus of Reconstruction from the President to the Congress
In 1866, Congress overrode President Johnson’s veto and passed the Civil Rights Act, the Freedmen’s Bureau Act, the 14th Amendment and the Reconstruction Act
Congress overrode Johnson’s veto of Freedmen’s Bureau

32. FROM HARPER’S MAGAZINE 1866 – BLACKS CELEBRATE
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
One of the important acts passed by Congress was the Civil Rights Act -1866
This law gave African Americans citizenship and forbade states from passing laws discriminating against former slaves (Black Codes)
FROM HARPER’S MAGAZINE 1866 – BLACKS CELEBRATE

33. Johnson Clashes With Congress
Johnson reacts strongly to Congress
Johnson announces that South had satisfied his conditions and Union was restored.
Vetoed extension of Freedman’s Bureau.
Civil Rights Act.
Pronounced that all African Americans were US citizens (override Dred Scott decision)
Vetoed by Johnson; Congress overrides
Congress passed 14th Amendment

34. 14TH AMENDMENT
In 1866, Congress passed the 14th Amendment which provided legal backing to the Civil Rights Act
It prevented states from denying rights to people based on race
This nullified the Dred Scott decision

35. Fourteenth Amendment What does it say? Ratified in 1868
All persons born or naturalized in US are citizens and no state can take away “ the privileges and immunities” of citizens
No state “shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor deny to any person … the equal protection of the law.”
Conferred Civil Rights except the vote on Freedmen.
Reduced representation in Congress of states that did not give the freedmen the vote.
Disqualified from federal and state office former confederates who had previously sworn oath to Const. of the US and, thus, had violated it.
Repudiated the confederate debt.
Ratified in 1868

36. RECONSTRUCTION ACT OF 1867
Congressional Republicans again joined forces to pass the Reconstruction Act
This act voided the state governments formed in the South under the Presidential plans and instead divided the south into 5 military districts
The states were required to grant black men the right to vote and to ratify the 14th Amendment
“First Vote”
This image depicts an artisan, a businessman and a soldier standing in line to cast their first ballot

37. Republican’s In Charge
Republicans now in the driver’s seat, but split between the radicals and the moderates.
Radicals led by Charles Sumner in the Senate and Thaddeus Stevens in the house.
Moderates had the upper hand
Eventual policies showed influences of both
Both recognize that federal power necessary to ensure enfranchisement of blacks.

38. Military Reconstruction
Reconstruction Act (March 1867)
What did it do?
Divided the South into 5 military districts
Military occupation of the South – “conquered territory”?
Temporarily disenfranchised many southerners—10,000
Stringent conditions for the readmission of the seceded states
States required to ratify Fourteenth Amendment to come back in
State constitutions must guarantee vote for former slaves
Stopped short of giving blacks land or requiring education.
Johnson vehemently opposes.

39. Military Reconstruction Act

40. Military Reconstruction
15th Amendment passed 1869 (ratified in 1870).
Military reconstruction questionable constitutionally.
By 1870 all states readmitted under terms of Reconstruction Act.
Last federal troops leave in 1877.

41. Radical Reconstruction In The South
Evolution of attitude toward black enfranchisement.
Blacks voting, but many whites weren’t.
Union Leagues
14 Black Congressmen; 2 Black Senators. Height of black political power until mid 20th Century.
Carpetbaggers and Scalawags.
Assessment of reconstruction governments in the South

42. GALLERY TICKET FOR JOHNSON IMPEACHMENT HEARING
JOHNSON IMPEACHED
Radical Republicans felt Johnson was blocking Reconstruction efforts
Thus, they looked for grounds to impeach him
They found grounds when he fired a cabinet member in violation of the “Tenure of Office Act”
He was impeached, but not convicted and served out his term
GALLERY TICKET FOR JOHNSON IMPEACHMENT HEARING

43. Congress Impeaches Johnson
The vote to throw Johnson out of office:
35 Yes
19 No
1 Vote Short of 2/3 – So Stays in office

44. The Purchase Of Alaska
One of Johnson’s few successes was the purchase of Alaska.
Why were Russians looking to unload Alaska?
Sec. of State Seward agrees to purchase for 7.2 Mil in Dubbed Seward’s Folly.
Why was US willing to purchase?

45. 1868 ELECTION
Civil War hero U.S. Grant ran as a Republican against Democratic nominee Horatio Seymour
Grant won by a margin of 300,000 in the popular vote
500,000 African Americans voted – 90% for Grant

46. 15th AMENDMENT
Soon after Grant’s election, Congress passed the 15th Amendment
This amendment stated that no one could be kept from voting because of “race, color, or previous servitude”
The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870

47. RECONSTRUCTING SOCIETY
The South went through significant changes after the war
The economy was in ruins and they lost hundreds of thousands of young men
Republicans now dominated politically, but often with conflicting goals
MANY SOUTHERN CITIES SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

48. SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS 3 groups made up the bulk of Southern Republicans
1) Scalawags: White farmers (small farms)
2) Carpetbaggers: Northerners who came south in search of opportunity after the war
3) African Americans: Former slaves- 90% of whom were Republican
CARPETBAGGERS
SCALAWAGS

49. State
White Citizens
Freedmen SC
291,000
411,000 MS
353,000
436,000 LA
357,000
350,000 GA
591,000
465,000 AL
596,000
437,000 VA
719,000
533,000 NC
631,000
331,000

50. HIRAM REVELS – FIRST BLACK SENATOR
AFRICAN AMERICANS
African Americans took an active role in the political process in the South
They voted in record numbers and many ran for office
Hiram Revels was the first black Senator
HIRAM REVELS – FIRST BLACK SENATOR

51. SPIKE LEE’S PRODUCTION COMPANY IS CALLED “40 ACRES AND A MULE”
Despite Sherman’s promise of “40 acres and a mule” few former slaves received anything
Republicans considered property to be a sacred American right
Therefore, most plantation owners kept their land
SPIKE LEE’S PRODUCTION COMPANY IS CALLED “40 ACRES AND A MULE”

52. SHARECROPPING AND TENANT FARMING
Without land of their own, Southern African Americans could not grow their own crops
Thus, many became sharecroppers– a system be which families were given a small plot of land to work in exchange for some of the crops
ARKANSAS SHARECROPPERS

53. SHARECROPPING IN THE SOUTH - 1880

54. THE COLLAPSE OF RECONSTRUCTION
While some Southern whites participated in the new governments, voted in elections, and reluctantly accepted African Americans---others were very resentful and formed hate groups
Most famous vigilante group was the Ku Klux Klan, or the KKK

55. Election of 1876 Democrats won the popular vote
Votes in 3 southern states were contested
South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana
Tilden (Democrat) needed one more electoral vote
Special commission appointed (8 GOP, 7 Democrats)
All disputed electoral votes were awarded to Hayes (GOP) by 8-7 vote

56. Election of 1876
Democrats threatened to take election to House of Representatives which they controlled
Constitution says that the House can decide who should be president in case of a tie in Electoral College
Compromise of 1877
Haynes becomes president
He agrees to pull all troops from South and end support for GOP in South
He agrees to support a southern trans continental RR

57. II. Growing Resistance to Reconstruction
The Racism of White Southerners: KKK, Black Codes…..
Goal was to re-establish white supremacy
The Racism and Indifference of White Northerners

58. KU KLUX KLAN
The Klan was formed by disgruntled Confederate soldiers whose goals included destroying the Republican Party, aiding the planter class, and preventing blacks from integrating into society
Estimates range as high as 20,000 murders attributed to the Klan whose membership peaked at almost million in the 1920s

59. Ku Klux Klan KKK (Invisible Empire of the South)
Used intimidation, fear and force to get upstart Blacks and carpetbaggers to get back in their place.
Founded by Nathan Bedford Forrest.
Undermined the civil rights given to blacks.
Force Act
Effective?

61. CONGRESS SUPPORT FADES
When Congress passed the Amnesty Act returning voting rights to 150,000 Confederates and allowed the Freedmen’s Bureau to expire—it became clear that Southern Democrats were back in political control

62. DEMOCRATS “REDEEM SOUTH”
Lack of Republican unity in the South and an economic downturn that diverted attention from Southern issues, caused Democrats to regain control of the South
Called “Redeemers” these politicians were out to reclaim Southern culture, pride and tradition
The Reconstruction Era was over by 1877

63. Negative Legacy of Reconstruction
Social Inequality: Jim Crow Laws & Plessy v. Ferguson
Political Inequality: Grandfather Clauses, Literacy Tests, etc.
Economic Inequality: Limited Land Leads to Sharecropping and Debt
Lynching and Racial Violence

64. Sample Jim Crow Laws
Textbooks: Books shall not be interchangeable between the white and colored schools, but shall continue to be used by the race first using them. (North Carolina)
Baseball: It shall be unlawful for any amateur colored baseball team to play baseball in any vacant lot or baseball diamond within two blocks of any playground devoted to the white race. (Georgia)

65. Another Jim Crow Law
Restaurants. It shall be unlawful to conduct a restaurant in the city, at which white and colored people are served in the same room, unless such white and colored persons are separated by a solid partition extending from the floor upward to a distance of seven feet or higher, and unless a separate entrance from the street is provided for each compartment. (Alabama)

66. B. Positive Example and Legal Framework for Civil Rights Movement
Black Institutions and Black Leaders

67. Was Reconstruction A Failure?
A failure! (Initial reaction – early 20th century)
Illiterate blacks & corrupt northern carpetbaggers abused the rights of southern whites and stole vast sums from the state governments
A success!
Many positive achievements by the Reconstruction governments and by black leaders
Importance (then & later) of the civil rights legislation & Reconstruction-era amendments (13, 14 & 15)
Humanitarian work performed by northern reformers
Especially in education

68. Was Reconstruction A Failure?
A failure! (1980s)
Radical Republicans were not radical enough
Land not provided to ensure economic independence for blacks
Military occupation should have lasted longer to protect political rights (voting, etc.) of freedmen.
A success! (late 80s, early 90s)
The freedmen established many of the institutions in the black community that would lead reform in the 20th century. (churches, colleges, etc.)
Basis for the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s, 60s & 70s

69. Table 16.2 Constitutional Amendments and Federal Legislation of the Reconstruction Era
Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document: Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments
During the Reconstruction era, the Constitution of the United States was amended three times. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery; the Fourteenth Amendment extended citizenship and equality under the law to former slaves; and the Fifteenth Amendment expanded the voting franchise to African American men. Students are asked to understand how these amendments, designed to benefit former slaves, continue to affect all Americans today.

70. Table 16.2 (continued) Constitutional Amendments and Federal Legislation of the Reconstruction Era