Reconstruction Chapter 22

Essential Questions? How are civil liberties challenged during times of conflict? How have changes during Reconstruction made a lasting impact on America? Which changes of the Civil War and Reconstruction era were short lived and which have had a lasting impact? To what extent have the issues surrounding the Civil War yet to be resolved?

Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, Mar Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1865 16th president of US (1809 - 1865) With malice toward none, with charity for all, ...let us strive on to finish the work we are in, ...to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Questions to Ponder? How would the South, physically devastated by war and socially revolutionized by emancipation, be rebuilt? How would liberated blacks fare as free men and women? How would the Southern states be reintegrated into the Union? Who would direct Reconstruction – the Southern states themselves, the president, or Congress?

A Peace Worth Having? Confederate leaders captured Jeff Davis: 2 years in prison, never tried Most leaders were pardoned by President Johnson Southern cities, transportation, and agriculture destroyed. Slave labor system gone, along with $2 billion worth of slaves. Southern belief in the “lost cause” of the Civil War

Freedmen Emancipation not instant, slow process. Many freedmen remained loyal to former owners, began to sharecrop and tenant farm. Others sought revenge for years of bondage New liberties Change of name Travelled Search for relatives Officially get married Move west (Exodusters) Change religious affiliation Sought education

Freedmen’s Bureau Former slaves were often unskilled, uneducated, property-less, and broke. Congress created the FB as an early form of welfare. Taught literacy Feed and clothed Basic healthcare 1865 to 1872 Often plagued by corrupt officials who swindled freedmen out of money and property Hated by southern whites

Andrew Johnson Born in NC, orphaned Never went to school, apprenticed with a tailor Champion for poor whites and the Constitution Southerner that did not secede; Lincoln picks him to balance the ticket on 1864. Not trusted by North or South, Democrats or Republicans

Johnson Administration Timeline 1865 Johnson becomes 17th president Freedmen’s Bureau established Black Codes appear 13th Amendment ratified 1866 Override of Civil Rights Bill veto 14th Amendment created 1867 Reconstruction Act Tenure of Office Act US buys Alaska 1868 Johnson impeached

Presidential Reconstruction Lincoln’s Plan: stats readmitted when 10% pledge allegiance to US and emancipation. Johnson follows 10% Plan and disenfranchised Confederate leaders. Leaders asked Johnson for pardons.

Black Codes Under Presidential Recon, many states sought to force freedmen back into a subservient status. Laws passed that kept AA from voting, juries Forced many to work or be punished Sharecropping: with no capital to buy and run their own farms, many AA went into debt working for former slave owners. AA would work a portion of a farm and “share” the profit with the landlord.

Congressional Reconstruction Also known as Radical Reconstruction 50% of state population New state constitutions Wade-Davis Bill: vetoed by Lincoln Much harsher on South Congress and the president had very different views During the war, Republicans controlled Congress Radical Republican leaders feared the re-admittance of the Democrat-South.

Radical Republicans Charles Sumner Thaddeus Stevens

Johnson v Congress Johnson vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Civil Rights Bill of 1866. Congress overrides both! 1866 Republicans get 2/3rd majority in Congress 14th Amendment Created to fight black codes Equal protection to all citizens Disqualified Confederate officials from voting.

Military Reconstruction RR wanted to punish South for War and Black Codes Reconstruction Act: 1867, allowed military to govern South by martial law. States now only readmitted when they elected Republican leaders, ratified 14th, allowed AA the vote. South resents measures!

Military Reconstruction

Military Reconstruction Ex parte Milligan: 1866, Supreme Court rules that military can’t try civilians during peace. Makes Military Reconstruction somewhat unconstitutional. When military is removed (1877) the South goes back to its old ways. Solid South: From 1877 to 1970 South always votes Democrat – result of Reconstruction.

“The Negro’s Hour”, Not Women Women played a huge role in abolition. With the 14th and 15th Amendments, women hoped to be included in citizenship, but weren’t. Women tried using the 14th Amendment as the basis for court cases, but failed.

Politics During Military Reconstruction Southern AA seized opportunity Organized churches and schools Elected to office: State legislatures, US House, and US Senate. Often helped by northerners that came south (Carpetbaggers) and Southern Republicans (Scalawags). Inexperience often lead to corruption, which was common everywhere throughout the Gilded Age.

Ku Klux Klan Group that attempted to disenfranchise and intimidate AA from voting and other rights. Terrorist group often beat and murdered to make example in AA communities. Many AA did avoid exercising rights out of fear. Military in South often overlooked (corruption)!

KKK

Congress Goes After a President Tenure of Office Act: 1867, provided that the pres. Couldn’t fire cabinet members without Congressional approval. Not really constitutional! Meant to protect Lincoln’s cabinet members that Johnson hated. Johnson fires Sec. of War to test act. House votes to impeach Johnson. 1st time ever for presidential impeachment (2nd in 1998, Clinton)

President on Trial Tensions ran high as Senate held impeachment trial. Johnson remained in office by 1 vote! Could have set a dangerous precedent and upset the checks and balances for future times. Showed the maturity of our government (sort-of)

The Purchase of Alaska 1867: Russia wants to sell Alaska. Secretary of State William Seward buys for $7.2 million. Public outraged over waste of $ (Seward’s Folly) Later proved to be highly rich in resources (fur, gold, timber, oil, natural gas)

Heritage of Reconstruction Some considered it worse than the war. For southern whites it seemed the north was forcing AA equality and the Republican Party upon them. AA rights in the south would not last once the military was withdrawn. Also, Republican support in the south vanishes after Reconstruction. Reconstruction will officially end in 1877 (next chapter), but AA rights and the Republican party will not return to the South for another 90 years!