Post 1865: Effects of the War

Reconstruction What will be done when the war is over? Reconstruction - The period following the Civil War in which Congress passed laws designed to rebuild the country and bring the Southern states back into the Union.

Reconstruction Era Lincoln had a plan to rebuild the south and restore it to the Union – It was to be quick and easy – Everyone would be pardoned(except high ranking officials) and, when 10% of the voters took a loyalty oath, the state would be permitted back into the Union Johnson takes over when Lincoln is assassinated – His plan was much like Lincoln’s, but expanded the group that would not be granted the general pardon – In this group he included large property owners, and they had to apply to the president for their pardon – Declared that Reconstruction was complete because the war goals were met: national unity and an end to slavery Congress and the Radical Republicans take over in 1866, (felt it was their job to be in control of Reconstruction) – They returned the South to military control and overruled Johnson’s veto – Passed the 14 th and 15 th Amendments – By 1877, Army intervention in the South ceases and Republican control collapses

President Abraham Lincoln Lincoln wanted the country to come back together peacefully. Lincoln’s plan was created in 1863, about two years before the end of the war. At the time of his death, the war was just ending and he was not able to put his ideas into practice. The Ten Percent Plan 10% of voters in the seceded states must swear loyalty under oath to the Union. The seceded states must abolish slavery.

Republicans in Congress Wanted to be more strict with the States that had rebelled. Wanted a State to re-enter through a slower admission process. Wade-Davis Bill The majority of white men from formerly Confederate states must swear loyalty to the United States. The seceded states must abolish slavery. Former Confederate soldiers or volunteers cannot hold office or vote.

President Andrew Johnson Wanted to be strict with the States that had rebelled, but ended up making it relatively easy for them. Allowed for segregation of the races. Johnson Plan The majority of white men from formerly Confederate states must swear loyalty to the United States. Formerly Confederate states must ratify the 13 th Amendment. Former Confederate officials may hold office and vote.

Radical Republicans Radical republicans, often abolitionists, represented a large part of Congress. These Congressmen wanted to be strict with the States that had rebelled. They also wanted to protect the newly freed slaves. Reconstruction Act Formerly Confederate states must disband their state governments. Formerly Confederate states must write new state constitutions. Formerly Confederate states must ratify the 14 th Amendment Formerly Confederate states must allow African Americans to vote.

Freedman’s Bureau Key agency during Reconstruction; Bureau of Refugees, Freedman, and Abandoned Lands Initiated by President Lincoln in March of 1865 and intended to last for one year Was part of the War Dept. Designed to help former slaves and poor whites cope with their everyday problems Main job was to help set up work opportunities and supervise labor contracts, as well as help with education and other daily necessities like food and clothing

Making a living doing what they know SharecroppingTenant Farming Landowners provide the land for farming, the tools, the shelter, the seed, the animals and the fertilizers Worker agrees to share the harvest for the use of the land and the credit of supplies Landowners provide the land for farming and the shelter, the tenant usually owns his own tools and animals Worker agrees to share the harvest for the use of the land and usually makes a little more than a sharecropper because less use of credit is needed

Opposition to the Reconstruction Plans This opposition sometimes took violent measures Ku Klux Klan was a secret organization that tried to prevent the newly freed slaves from exercising their new rights They did this through intimidation, beatings, and murder This appeared in Harper's WeeklyHarper's Weekly January 27, 1872 Three Ku Klux Klan members arrested in Mississippi, September Mississippi 1871, for the attempted murder of an entire family.

New Amendments 13 th Amendment: makes slavery illegal 14 th Amendment: granted citizenship to the freedmen (remember the Dred Scott decision) and forbade any state from discrimination, states could not deny anyone “equal protection of the law” 15 th Amendment: gave all male citizens the right to vote ( The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude )

Henry McNeal Turner Elected to the Georgia Legislature in 1868, part of the new legislators elected during Reconstruction

Review The War began in April of 1861 and ends in April of 1865 Each side creates strategies and the CSA has to create their own government and army Most battles are fought on Confederate soil, many in VA Following the war there is a turbulent period known as Reconstruction The newly freed slaves begin adjusting to freedom with the help of the Freedmen’s Bureau New amendments are passed to enable the freed slaves the ability to enjoy Constitutional Rights