Reconstruction 1. What is meant by the Reconstruction period? - the federal govt’s plan to restore the South to the Union 2. What was Johnson’s plan for Reconstruction? - would not punish the South - southern states had to set up temporary govts - they had to end slavery - they had to declare secession illegal - all white males had to take oath of loyalty to Union

Reconstruction in Texas 3. What did the delegates at the Convention of 1866 agree to? Wrote a new Constitution – Constitution of 1866 - declared secession illegal - agreed to end slavery - African Americans received some rights, but could not vote, serve on juries, hold public office

Reconstruction in Texas Slave Codes – a set of rules both written and unwritten to govern slaves and slavery “Slaves could not....” - own property - travel without permit - be out after dark - assemble with other Slaves except in church - carry firearms - hit, punch/strike/fight whites, even in self defence 4. What were the “black codes”? Limited the rights of African Americans Just replace “slave” with “black”

Reconstruction in Texas 5. What was the role of the Freedman’s Bureau? - protect newly freed slaves from violence and theblack codes - provided food, shelter, health care, jobs, education 6. What did some republicans dislike about Johnson’s plan? - it was too lenient on the South - former Confederate officials were able to be elected into high office

Reconstruction in Texas 7. What was Congress’ plan? - South was placed under control of the US Army - states had to pass new constitutions - new elections, men must take “ironclad oath” to vote Scalawags – Southerners who supported Reconstruction Carpetbaggers – northerners who moved to the South, many with crooked intentions Ku Klux Klan – secret society created to terrorize blacks from voting, fear and intimidation

Reconstruction in Texas 8. What happened at the Convention of 1868? - two factions formed - Radical Republicans and Moderates - wrote new state constitution (approved in 1869) - strong central govt, all children had to attend school 9 (a). What were some of the economic changes that existed at end of Reconstruction? - railroads everywhere, new industry, leading cotton production, the sharecropping system

Reconstruction in Texas 9 (b). Describe the new labor system that replaced slavery….. -Creation of sharecropping: farmers work land owned by someone else, paying for use of the land by giving a portion of the crops to the landowner. - sharecropping was little better than slavery, landowners would sell farmers equipment, seeds/supplies, clothes, medicine at high prices - farmers went into debt, could not leave the land until debt was paid, which took years or NEVER

Reconstruction in Texas 10. What type (weak or strong) of gov’t did the Constitution of 1876 create? What did it do………..? - Very weak gov’t - Limited power of governor - All males, including African Americans could vote, but not women (big shocker) - All amendments must be approved by voters