Reconstruction (1865-1877)

When the war ended, the South was in ruins. homes were burned businesses closed properties abandoned freed African Americans lacked full citizenship and the means to make a living Richmond, Virginia

The Dilemma of Reconstruction How will the Southern states rejoin the Union? Tried for treason? Pardoned, so healing can begin? Method of Southern Representatives reclaim seats in U.S. Congress- no provision in the Constitution of secession Should the President or Congress lead the way?

The Dilemma of Reconstruction How will the Southern economy be rebuilt? Should the land benefit the slaves- “forty acres and a mule”? Given back to Southern owners? Bought from white southerners and sold to former slaves?

The Dilemma of Reconstruction What rights will African-Americans have? 13th Amendment freed slaves but did not give them equal rights Need to gain the right to vote/access to education Many leaders of the Republican Party supported these ideas but white southerners opposed it

Lincoln Sets a Moderate Course Reunify the nation In 1863 issued “Ten Percent Plan”—as soon as ten percent of a state’s voters took a loyalty oath to the Union, the state could set up a new government If state’s constitution abolished slavery and provided education for African Americans it could regain representation in Congress Was willing to grant pardons to former Confederates, and consider compensating them for lost property Did not require a guarantee of social or political equality for African-Americans

Congress and the Radical Republicans Opposed Lincoln’s plan- Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner Insisted that the Confederates had committed crimes by enslaving African Americans and leading the nation into war Advocated full citizenship, including the right to vote for African Americans Favored punishment and harsh terms for the South Supported plan to confiscate Confederates’ land and give farms to freed men Helped to pass the Wade-Davis Bill which required that a majority of the state’s prewar voters swear loyalty to the Union before restoration could begin, also demanded guarantees of African American equality

Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan Lincoln and the Radical Republicans in Congress were at odds in their proposals to rebuild the South. Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan Wade-Davis Bill 10 percent of state’s voters needed to take a loyalty oath a state’s new constitution must have abolished slavery required a majority of state’s prewar voters to swear loyalty to the Union required guarantees of African American equality vetoed by Congress passed by Congress, pocket vetoed by Lincoln

Lincoln and the Radical Republicans agreed to establish the Freedmen’s Bureau. The newly-formed organization helped feed, clothe, and educate blacks and whites in the South.

Johnson Takes Over! Like Lincoln, easy readmission After Lincoln’s death, President Andrew Johnson wanted to restore the status of the southern states. Like Lincoln, easy readmission Offered pardons and the restoration of land to Confederates who swore allegiance to the Union and the Constitution Each Southern state must ratify the Thirteenth Amendment and draft a constitution that abolished slavery Resented wealthy planters and required Confederate leaders to write a letter to him personally to apply for a pardon “government for white men” and did not want African Americans to have the right to vote Supported states’ rights, which would allow them to limit the freedoms of their former slaves

By December 1865, most southern states had met Johnson’s requirements for readmission to the Union. All southern states instituted “black codes”- restriction on jobs (many blacks become (sharecroppers), land, rise of KKK Many states specifically limited the vote to white men. Some states sent Confederate officials to Congress. During the required state conventions, however, southern states tried to rebuild their prewar world. 11

the Civil Rights Act of 1866- federal guarantee of civil rights The South’s disregard of Reconstruction efforts angered moderates and Radical Republicans. In response, Congress passed new legislation over President Johnson’s veto. The legislation included the Civil Rights Act of 1866- federal guarantee of civil rights the Fourteenth Amendment-equality of all citizens the division of the South into five military districts. 12

Military Reconstruction Act (1867)

Radical Republicans Impeach Johnson Power struggle between Congress and Johnson reach a climax in 1867 Congress passes the Tenure of Office Act- President needs approval before removing certain people from office- put in place to protect radical Republicans President Johnson Sec. of War Stanton

Eventually, the House voted to impeach Johnson. Johnson’s opponents failed by one Senate vote to remove him from office.

Election of 1868 Gen. Ulysses S. Grant won election in 1868 Even though Grant won easily the Democratic candidate Horatio Seymour won a majority of the Southern votes.

To protect the voting rights of African-Americans the new President, Ulysses S. Grant, Congress passed the Fifteenth Amendment. The Fifteenth Amendment, 1870 No citizen can be denied the right to vote because of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”