Reconstruction 1865-1877

Questions What was Presidential Reconstruction? What was Congressional/Military reconstruction? What actions did Southerners take to avoid the effects of Reconstruction?

Freedman's Bureau Created by Congress in 1865 Headed by General Oliver Howard Purpose: To help unskilled, uneducated, poverty-stricken ex-slaves survive. Provided food, medical care and education to both whites and blacks “40 acres and a mule” Southern violence against “carpetbaggers” and blacks was significant. Bureau expired in 1872 Johnson repeatedly tried to kill it.

Presidential reconstruction LINCOLN 1863 Lincoln gave his “10 percent” Reconstruction plan. States never left union Recognition of state governments where 10% of the electorate from the 1860 election had taken a loyalty oath and acceptance of the 13th amendment Congressional Republicans rejected the plan claiming it was too lenient. Wade-Davis Bill (1864) Required 50% of state’s voters in 1860 election take oath of allegiance and imposed stronger safeguards for emancipation than Lincoln's plan. “State Suicide theory”—Republicans believed Confederate states had forfeited all their rights by seceding from the Union. Lincoln vetoed the bill.

Johnson’s Presidential Reconstruction Johnson recognized several of Lincoln’s 10% governments. Johnson Disenfranchised certain leading Confederates Granted many pardons for ex-Confederates. Pardons of planter aristocrats infuriated the Republican party. Called for special state conventions required to repeal ordinances of secession. Cancel all war debts Ratify the 13th amendment By 1865 most states had fulfilled Johnson's requirements.

Actions of the South provoke strong reaction in the North Former confederate leaders were elected to high office and presented themselves to the capitol in December of 1865. Republicans feared that a restored South would be stronger in National Politics—why? Black codes Purpose: Laws in the South designed to restore pre-emancipation system of race relations Results: Many blacks sank to level of indentured servitude Violence against blacks KKK (1866)

Congressional reconstruction In 1866 congressional election the Republicans captured a 2/3 majority in both houses: VETO PROOF CONGRESS Led by Republicans—Stevens, Sumner Extended the life of the Freedman’s Bureau Civil Rights act of 1866 Citizenship (excluding franchise) and struck at Black codes. 14th Amendment Military Reconstruction Act(1867) 5 military districts headed by a military commander Commander was responsible for seeing that each state under his command wrote a new constitution that provided for Black voting rights. New governments were to be formed by southerners who were loyal to the US—both black and white. Southerners who had supported the Confederacy were denied the right to vote. Military rule ended by 1870

Impeachment of Johnson Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act in 1867 over Johnson’s veto. President couldn't remove senate-approved appointees without approval of the Senate. Purpose: Keep Sec of War Edwin Stanton in the cabinet who was secretly serving as a spy for the radicals Provoke Johnson to break the law Johnson fired Stanton believing the act was unconstitutional. Johnson is impeached for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Johnson was one vote shy of being removed.

Southern Reconstruction The South's new voters Most Black voters joined the Republican party White Southerners who had not supported secession also supported the Republican party. Democrats called them Scalawags. Carpetbaggers African Americans in office– about 1/5 of the South’s new officeholders were African Americans. The 15th amendment (ratified in 1870)—women not included  The force (enforcement) acts– illegal to prevent another person from voting by bribery or scare tactics. Loopholes: Poll taxes, literacy tests, property requirements, grandfather clause were not addressed.

Accomplishments of Reconstruction Blacks in high office 14 Congressmen 2 senators Improved public schools Public work programs were established Tax system streamlined Property rights were guaranteed to women

The end of Reconstruction Compromise of 1877 Voting rights for blacks would not be protected/enforced by the federal government until the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s.

Purchase of Alaska Sec. of State William Seward 1867 7.2 million