Fight Over Reconstruction

The Black Codes Many white southerners opposed and feared African Americans’ freedoms. New southern state legislatures approved by President Johnson began passing laws to deny African Americans’ civil rights. “This is a white man’s government, and intended for white men only.” –new governor of South Carolina. Soon every state passed Black Codes: laws that limited the freedom of African Americans.

Inequality Black Codes required African Americans to sign work contracts. Any African American who could not prove they had a job could be arrested and be forced to work without pay. African Americans were also prevented from owning guns or renting property in cities. “We simply ask . . . that the same laws which govern white men shall govern black men.”

Radical Republicans The Black Codes angered Republicans who saw the South returning to its old ways. Republicans wanted loyal state governments that would follow federal laws. The main fear was that southern leaders were still loyal to the Confederacy. These people felt that President Johnson’s Reconstruction plan was a failure.

Johnson Versus Congress Congress proposed a bill to give the Freedmen’s Bureau more powers. The purpose was to give African Americans courts that would be more fair than the southern courts. President Johnson vetoed the bill because: Southern states were not represented in Congress. The Freedmen’s Bureau was unconstitutional. Johnson believed that African Americans did not need any special assistance (veto).

Veto Powers Republicans responded with the Civil Rights Act of 1866: provided African Americans with the same legal rights. Johnson once again used his veto power; Congress overrode. Fearful that the Civil Rights Act would be overturned, Congress had the 14th amendment ratified. Defined all people born or naturalized within the U.S. as citizens. The 1866 elections gave the Republican Party the power to override any presidential veto.

Reconstruction Acts In March 1867, Congress passed the first of several Reconstruction Acts: Divided the South into military districts. Required a new state constitution supporting the 14th Amendment. Grant African American men the right to vote. President Johnson disagreed with the Reconstruction Act- African Americans did not deserve the same treatment. Congress voted to limit the president’s power; which Johnson violated.

Impeachment The House of Representatives responded by voting to impeach the President. Impeachment is the process used by Congress to bring charges to a public official. The Senate held the trial; Johnson was spared by one vote. Finally, the 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. However, it did not extend the right to hold public office, or to women’s rights.