What Do We Do Now? (1865-1877)

What Do We Do Now? (1865-1877)

The War Ends April 9th, 1865 Southern forces under command of Robert E. Lee surrender to General Grant of the Union army.

Conditions After the War Most homes undamaged Towns prospered and grew Life carried on as normal Fields full of weeds/ Livestock killed Houses and Barns Destroyed Bridges Broken 2/3’s Railroad Lines Gone Little to no labor force 25% of white population gone 4 million former slaves free BUT homeless, unemployed, penniless

Any ideas on how we... will rebuild the war-torn South? will re-admit the former Confederate States into the Union? will include 4 million former slaves into American life (poor, homeless, unemployed, illiterate)?

Two Plans versus Presidential Congressional Lenient, forgiving Designed to heal the nation quickly Congressional Harsh, military rule Designed to punish the South

Ideas for Reconstruction? Amnesty (official pardon) to southerners who swore loyalty to the Union. State recognition if… 1. Accept Emancipation Proclamation 2. 10% of voters take oath of loyalty

Tragedy Strikes! Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth’s bullet…(Kennedy/Lincoln Similarities?)

Andrew Johnson Attempts to Fill BIG SHOES… Named temporary governors to hold office in the seceded states. Amnesty granted to all but a few who fought against the Union. Ordered southern states to draw up new state constitutions. Asked each state to ratify the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery. Only after these steps are taken can southern states elect state officials and representatives.

“Radical” Republicans have different plans… Congress should decide how to deal with the South The President’s terms are too generous! Sponsor the Wade-Davis Bill, 1864 Punish the South! Send a message loud and clear!

Wade-Davis Bill, 1864 1. Those Confederates who voluntarily fight should not be allowed to vote or hold office. 2. A majority of the state population must pledge loyalty before this Congress will recognize their statehood.

Are You Ready to RUMBLE? Andrew Johnson, President Radical Republicans, Congress

A “Boxing Match” Begins… Radical Republicans President Johnson Implements Reconstruction Creates committee to report on progress and re-evaluate Veto’s Law: State Jurisdiction Pass Freedman’s Bureau Civil Rights Act, 1866 Veto’s Law “Unconstitutional” Congress Overrides!!!

Who Won Round One? VETO! VETO! Andrew Johnson, President Freedmen’s Bureau VETO! VETO! OVERRIDE! Start Reconstruction Evaluate Plan Civil Rights Act Andrew Johnson, President Radical Republicans, Congress

Round Two! Radical Republicans President Johnson Urged southern states NOT to ratify, 10 states listened Draft 14th Amendment Keep Confederate officials from voting and holding office Gives citizenship to US born persons Blacks counted in population and right to vote Southern debt is South’s problem

Who Won Round Two? DON’T RATIFY!!!!! Andrew Johnson, President 14 Amendment Right to Vote 10 States Listened Citizenship Limit Politicians Limit Aid to South Andrew Johnson, President Radical Republicans, Congress

Round Three… President Johnson Radical Republicans VETO!!!!! First Reconstruction Act passes ??????????????? OVERRIDE!!!!! 10 Southern States Illegal! Declare Districts and Military Control State Constitutional Convention Create NEW State Constitutions approved by CONGRESS Accept 14th Amendment Then…rejoin the Union

Who Won Round Three? OVERRIDE! VETO!!!!! Andrew Johnson, President Reconstruction Act OVERRIDE! VETO!!!!! 10 States Punished Military Rule Ultimatums Andrew Johnson, President Radical Republicans, Congress

President Johnson is in TROUBLE! What more can I do?

Round Four… President Johnson Radical Republicans Fires Secretary of War, a known radical. Congress Passes Tenure Office Act The president cannot remove any cabinet members without permission from the Senate. Congress IMPEACHES the president of the United States!

Is it over? “You’re Fired!” Tenure Office Act IMPEACHMENT! Andrew Johnson, President Radical Republicans, Congress

KNOCK OUT!

Positive Effects 13th Amendment - ended slavery 14th Amendment - gave African-Americans citizenship 15th Amendment - gave African-Americans (men) right to vote

More Positive Effects Freedman’s Bureau Civil Rights Act - provided basic education - medical care - food & clothing - formed schools & colleges - brought families together Civil Rights Act - promised citizenship - promised civil rights - gave federal government the right to step in if states refused to acknowledge these rights.

Negative Effects African-Americans face setbacks, harassment, & terror - black codes - literacy tests & poll taxes - Ku Klux Klan, a.k.a. KKK - Jim Crow laws/segregation

Reconstruction? (1865-1877)