1. Chapter 16: Texas History
Reconstruction
Chapter 16: Texas History

2. Presidential Reconstruction
Reconstruction: The Civil War was followed by a period in which Southern states were brought back in to the Union.
This period is known as reconstruction
Most of the south was in ruins
There were many problems facing the south during reconstruction
There was a scarcity of money
A bitterness between those in the north and those in the south
Lack of food and shelter for the freedmen

4. Juneteenth
Juneteenth: June 19, 1865 was the day most enslaved Texans celebrated their freedom
The Emancipation Proclamation officially freed the enslaved in 1863
On June 19, Union troops led by General Gordon Granger declared all enslaved people free, after landing in Galveston with 1,800 Union troops.
Juneteenth has become a holiday to celebrate the past, present and future contributions of African Americans in the United States

6. Two Presidential Plans
By 1865, over 50,000 Union troops were in Texas to patrol the U.S. and Mexico border, and to bring order to the state
Brigadier General George A. Custer occupied Austin, the capital of Texas
President Lincoln wanted the confederate states to rejoin the union peacefully, and without major consequence
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated shortly after, and the task of reconstruction passed on to Andrew Johnson

8. Set up a provisional government in every southern state
President Johnson was from the south, and set up a reconstruction policy that was similar to Lincoln’s.
Set up a provisional government in every southern state
Appointed officers and ordered federal troops to protect them and their offices
Set up conditions for readmission in to the United States
Prohibit slavery and nullify their order to secede from the United States
Citizens had to take an oath of allegiance to the United States in order to vote again
Leaders of the Confederacy and the wealthy had to seek a special pardon from the President
Once all were complete, each state could write a new constitution and elect their own representatives

9. Restoring Statehood and Assisting Freed Texans
June of 1865: Andrew Hamilton was named provisional governor of Texas
Hamilton had sympathy for the people of Texas, and wanted a quick return to the Union
Many supported Hamilton, but others openly opposed him
The Freedman’s Bureau helped many African Americans living in the south
Former slaves were known as freedmen
Their main job was to help blacks and whites who were left homeless after the Civil War

11. Nationally, the Freedman’s Bureau was led by Oliver W. Howard
In Texas, it was led by General E.M. Gregory
Operated for nearly 5 years
Helped find jobs for those that had been freed
Issued food and clothing for the sick, poor and elderly
Provided education for the African Americans in the United States
By 1870, over 100 schools offered education to the African Americans
Most were closed after the Freedman’s Bureau no longer operated

12. Government Restored in 1866
By November of 1865, most white males had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, allowing them to vote again
Elected delegates to a convention to write a new constitution
A new Texas constitution was created, and the amendments were ratified in June of 1866.
Most who wrote the constitution were supporters of the Confederacy
State secession was illegal
Slavery was abolished
State war debts were forgiven
African Americans were provided schools and certain legal rights
Denied the right to vote to African Americans

13. Texas Elects Ex- Confederates to Office
Texans elected many former Confederate officials to top governments posts
Governor James W. Throckmorton had served as commanding general for the frontier district of the Confederacy
Southern legislatures also took actions that troubled many
Refused to ratify, or approve, the 13th and 14th amendment
13th amendment abolished slavery
14th amendment granted citizenship to former slaves
Set up Black Codes
African Americans were not allowed to vote
Could not testify against whites or serve on a jury
African Americans without jobs were forced to work for plantation owners.

15. Immigration from Europe continued during reconstruction
People on the Move
Many African Americans began to search Texas, and other parts of the United States, for family members they were separated from during their time as a slave.
Over 100,000 people also came from other confederate states in search of farmland
Immigration from Europe continued during reconstruction
Others emigrated, or moved out of the state
Several Confederate leaders refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and moved to Brazil where slavery was still legal.

16. Radical Republicans Take Charge
Republicans in office often disagreed with President Johnson, and drew up their own plan for reconstruction
Radical Republicans had their own goals
Wanted stricter standards for rejoining the Union
Wanted to protect the freedoms of African Americans in the south
Received the votes of many African Americans
Former Confederates believed the plan was too harsh
Radical Republicans won control of the House and the Senate in 1866, and promised to override any presidential veto
In Feb. 1868, they then tried to impeach President Johnson
The Senate failed to convict him on charges of misconduct, and Johnson served the remaining years of his term.
Johnson ultimately lost most of his influence as a result

17. New Requirements for Statehood
In March of 1867, Congress divided the south into five districts
Louisiana and Texas made up one district, commanded by Major General Philip Sheridan
Under this plan, martial law would rule until the states met certain requirements
States had to write a new constitution and approve the 14th amendment
African Americans had to be given the right to vote and hold office
Had to ratify the 15th amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote for African American men
States had to repeal the Black Codes
Voters had to take the Ironclad Oath
Stated they had not served in the Confederate army or given aid to the Confederacy
Kept thousands of southerners from voting

19. Southerners Oppose Reconstruction
July 30, 1867: General Sheridan removed Governor Throckmorton from office for not placing reconstruction laws in to effect.
Elisha M. Pease was appointed as the next governor
Southern whites who supported Reconstruction were called Scalawags, and northerners who came to the south were called Carpetbaggers
Organizations against reconstruction often turned to violence and threats to prevent African Americans from voting
Ku Klux Klan
Hid their identities while hanging and whipping African Americans

22. A New Constitution and Elections
February, 1868: Texans voted in new delegates to a convention to create a new constitution
Stated that no person could be excluded from voting because of race or color
The Constitution of 1869 provided more support for public education
Extended numerous rights to African Americans
Protected public lands in Texas
In 1869, a new governor and other state officials, including 11 African Americans, were elected
Edmund J. Davis, a Radical Republican, won the 1869 election for the Governor of Texas
March 30, 1870: President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation ending reconstruction

23. Governor Davis was often seen as controversial by many Texans
A Republican Governor
Governor Davis was often seen as controversial by many Texans
Only allowed state police, including Tejanos and African Americans
Used military in times of civil disobedience
Postponed several elections and raised taxes
He improved roads, built forts, passed a new Homestead Act and set up free public schools
Attendance to school was compulsory, or required
The tax system provided funding for education

24. A Democratic Challenge
1872: Anti-Davis Democrats won a majority of seats in the state legislature
1872: Davis ran for re-election against Richard Coke, a Democrat who was a former Confederate officer
The election became bitter and violent
Coke appealed to white businessmen, immigrants and farmers
Democrats used threats and violence to keep African Americans from voting for Davis
Richard Coke won the election by twice as many votes
Democrats won every other major state office

25. Reconstruction Ends
From Dec to January 1874, Texas was in crisis over the date that Coke would take over
The Texas Supreme Court declared Coke’s win as unconstitutional, but eventually Coke forced his way in as Governor.
Militias and soldiers vowed to defend Davis and Coke
Troops brought in by Davis changed sides, and granted their support to Coke
Had the potential to become violent
After President Grant refused to send troops to support Davis, David left office on January 17, 1874
Brought an end to Republican rule in Texas