 What are the men in the picture doing?  What changes must have taken place in the South to make this possible?  Why was it important for African Americans to participate in elections?

The Radical Republican’s Plan  Some Radical Republicans considered Lincoln and Johnson’s plans too forgiving  They wanted a more extreme plan  Radical Republicans stated Southern states must be broken up  Congress was controlled by Radical Republicans and voted to deny seats to those states

The Wade-Davis Bill  In July 1864, Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill which set up several requirements each state had to meet before rejoining Union  Majority of white males (not 10%) needed to take oath of loyalty  Anyone who helped Confederacy could not vote in elections  Lincoln realized he had to compromise with Radical Republicans (Freedmen’s Bureau)

And So It Begins…  President Johnson could do little to stop Radical Republicans because they could easily override his votes in Congress.  This begins the period called Radical Reconstruction.

Early Radical Reconstruction Acts  Early 1866 – Civil Rights Act of 1866 – all persons born in US (except Native Americans) as American citizens  Vetoed by Johnson twice  14 th Amendment (1868) – All native born persons were citizens Prohibited states from denying any citizen equal protection of the law Extended citizenship to former slaves

Break Up The South!  10 of 11 Southern states rejected 14 th Amendment  Congress then had new plan – they call for the creation of new governments in the 10 Southern states that had NOT ratified the 14 th Amendment.  This act divided the 10 states into 5 military districts, each run by military leader.

Radical Reconstruction Military Districts

Out With The Old…  Congress wanted new state gov’t created in South  The act also guaranteed African American men the right to vote in state elections.  It banned former Confederate leaders from holding office.  A Second Reconstruction Act required the military commanders to register voters and prepare for state constitutional conventions.

Welcome Back!  Many white Southerners refused to take part in those elections.  African Americans, happily voted however.  Republicans gained control of Southern state governments.

Limiting Power…  President Johnson was strongly opposed to Radical Reconstruction.  Congress passed laws to limit President’s power.  The Tenure of Office Act prohibited the president from removing government officials, including members of his own cabinet, without Senate’s approval.

Conflict!  Johnson suspended Secretary of War Edwin Stanton without Senate approval in 1867 when Congress wasn’t in session.  When Senate met, they refused to approve the suspension.  This action was a deliberate violation of the Tenure of Office Act.

Goodbye Johnson?  Outraged, the House of Rep’s voted to impeach, or formally charge with wrongdoing, the president.  The senators failed to achieve the two- thirds majority needed for conviction.  As a result Johnson stayed in office till the end of his term in 1869.

The 15 th Amendment  By the presidential election of 1868, most Southern states had rejoined the Union.  Ulysses S. Grant won the election.  In 1869 Congress passed the 15 th Amendment.  This Amendment prohibited the state and federal governments from denying the right to vote to any male citizen because of ‘race’ or ‘color’.

Finally!  African American men won the right to vote when the amendment was ratified in  Republicans thought the power of the vote would enable African Americans to protect themselves.

Question…  What were the results of Radical Reconstruction?