Early Steps Toward Reunion Postwar Problems Reconstruction Plans Lincoln’s Assassination Thirteenth Amendment Reconstruction – the rebuilding of the South

Postwar Problems North South Faced economic problems Needed jobs for the soldiers Lost more soldiers than the South South Their land was destroyed. Major cities had been leveled Ex. Atlanta Confederate money was worthless 4 million freedmen (men and women who had been slaves)

Ten Percent Plan Created by Lincoln: Problems A southern state could form a new government after 10 % of its voters swore an oath of loyalty to the U.S. Also offered amnesty (government pardon) to Confederate soldiers who swore loyalty Abolish Slavery Voters in the South elect members of Congress Problems Many Republicans felt Lincoln’s plan was too generous

Wade Davis Bill Created by the Republicans Problems - Required a majority of white men in each southern state to swear loyalty - Denied the right to vote or hold office for those who fought for the Confederacy - Abolish Slavery Problems - Lincoln vetoed this b/c he felt it was too harsh.

Freedmen’s Bureau Congress and Lincoln both agreed on one proposal. Lincoln signed the bill creating the Freedmen’s Bureau – a government agency to help former slaves The Bureau gave food and clothing to former slaves. It also tried to find jobs for them. Helped poor whites Provided medical care Set up the South’s public school system and colleges for African Americans.

Lincoln’s Assassination On April 14, 1865, five days after Lee’s surrender, Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre by John Wilkes Booth. Booth was later caught and killed in a barn outside the city. Many Americans mourned his death.

The New President Vice President Andrew Johnson became President Johnson’s Plan Called for a majority of voters to pledge loyalty to the U.S. Each state had to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment – banned slavery Problems Johnson allowed men who supported the Confederacy to be voted back into Congress. Republicans were outraged and set up the Joint Committee on Reconstruction.