Reconstruction 1865-1877

Main Idea Why it Matters Now- During Reconstruction, the president and Congress fought over how to rebuild the South. Why it Matters Now- Reconstruction was an important step in the African-American struggle for civil rights.

Reconstruction Begins

Reconstruction Begins South had to build new society not based on slavery Lincoln wanted to heal the pain of the war and make reunification easy. He would do this “with malice toward none, and with charity for all” He set up the Freedman’s Bureau to help newly free slaves. This federal agency set up schools, hospitals, and gave out clothes, food, and fuel.

Lincoln assassinated April 1865 5 days after the Civil War ended Lincoln killed Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. John Wilkes Booth was the assassin 1st American President to be assassinated

Reconstruction Begins After Lincoln dies Andrew Johnson becomes president Johnson was a former slave owner but he still applied Lincoln’s goals Insisted new state governments ratify the 13th amend. Insisted states accept the supreme power of the federal govt. Amnesty to most white southerners & Confederate leaders

Rebuilding Brings Conflict As new state govts form they seem very much like the old ones. “White man’s government, intended for white men only” Black Codes- laws which limited the freedom of former slaves. They had to have working papers, forbidden to meet in groups, or carry guns. Northerners thought Southerners were trying to bring back the “Old South”

Republicans 1865 Moderate Republicans Federal Govt. should stay out of the affiars of individuals and states Radical Republicans Federal Govt. should play an active role in remaking Southern politics and society. They wanted full and equal citizenship for African Americans

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 Urged on by the radical Republicans congress passed a civil rights bill- rights granted to all citizens. All persons born in the U.S.A. are citizens. Except Native Americans. Citizens had equal rights regardless of race

The Civil Rights Act Johnson vetoed the bill He said federal protection of civil rights would lead toward centralization of the national government He said states should decide if freed slaves could vote He said making African Americans full citizens would “operate against the white race.” Congress over rides the presidents veto with 2/3 of the house and 2/3 of the senate voting for the civil rights act

Republicans wanted to do more than pass laws Republicans wanted to do more than pass laws. They wanted equal rights to be protected by the Constitution itself. All people born in the U.S. were citizens and had the same rights. All citizens were had equal protection of the law. Did not give African Americans the vote but said states that did not let freed slaves vote will lose representatives in Congress

The 14th Amendment Johnson and almost every former Confederate state refused to support the amendment. This outraged moderate Republicans and Radical Republicans. They join forces and pass the Reconstruction Acts of 1867. From this point on Congress controlled Reconstruction and the period was known as Radical Reconstruction.

14th Amendment Under the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 for a state to be readmitted to the Union they had to: 1. Approve new state constitutions that gave the vote to all adult men, including African Americans. 2. They must ratify the 14th amendment.

Comparing Johnson Radical Republicans Role of Govt. in Reconstruction Civil Rights Act of 1866 14th amendment

Bell Ringer What were the terms of Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th amendment? What was the effect of opposition to civil rights laws? What were the terms of the Reconstruction Act of 1867?

Reconstruction and Daily Life

Main Idea Why it matters now As the South, millions of newly freed African Americans worked to improve their lives Why it matters now Many important African American like colleges began during Reconstrcution

Responding to Freedom Now that African Americans didn’t need passes to travel or working papers like under the Black Codes, they left the plantations and traveled. Went to where they were born, sought out economic opportunity, traveled just because. Many freed slaves searched for family members and were legally able to marry.

Starting Schools Freedom meant African Americans could now work for themselves. They wanted economic independence but 1st they had to learn to read and write. Children and adults went to Freedmen’s schools

Starting Schools More than 150,000 African Americans were attending 3,000 schools by 1869 Many northerners both white and black went to the south to teach at these schools Southern white racists burnt some of the schools down and some teachers were murdered

40 Acres and a Mule

40 Acres and a Mule Newly freed slaves thought owning land would be the best way to help themselves. Civil rights meant little without economic independence. A plan was made to grant 40 acres of land to ex-slaves in South Carolina. Congress did not support the 40 Acres and a mule plan.

The Contract System Since they had no property freed slaves went back to work on plantations this time getting paid. Plantation owners desperately needed a labor force to work the cotton crops.

The Contract System The ex-slaves signed contracts that sometimes would not let them leave the plantations and paid very low wages or cheated them out of money. Laws punished African Americans if they broke the contract even if they rights were being abused. This made African Americans turn to Sharecropping.

Sharecropping and Debt Sharecropping is when a worker rents a plot of land to farm. The landowner provides the tools, seed, and housing. When harvest came the worker would give the landowner a share of the crop. Problems developed: Sharecroppers wanted to grow food. Landowners wanted to grow cash crops. So sharecroppers had to buy food on credit from the local store which was owned by the landowners. This resulted in a cycle of debt.

1. Sharecropper provided with land and seed 1. Sharecropper provided with land and seed. In exchange he promises landowner 1/2 the crop

2. Sharecropper buys food and clothing on credit from landowner’s store

3. Sharecropper plants and harvests crop

4. Sharecropper gives landowner crop to sell 4.Sharecropper gives landowner crop to sell. Sharecropper will get half the earnings minus the cost of his purchases that year

5. Sometimes sharecropper is told they owe more than they’ve earned.

6. To pay debt sharecropper must promise landowner greater share of next year’s crop.

1. Sharecropper provided with land and seed 1. Sharecropper provided with land and seed. In exchange he promises landowner 1/2 the crop

Cause and Effect

Dialogue During Reconstruction Pair up Write a dialogue between 2 African Americans after the Civil War. How will they support themselves? Skills they have? Any money? Where will you go? Etc.

Comparing Southern Systems Contract System Sharecropping Benefits Drawbacks

The Ku Klux Klan

The KKK African Americans had to deal with not only poverty but violent racism. 1866 the secret group was formed by former slave owners, landowners, and former Confederate soldiers . Goals- restore Democratic control in the South and keep former slaves powerless.

The KKK Attacked African Americans Lynching, murdering, burning homes. Attacked white people who helped Kept Republicans from voting so Democrats got control

End of Reconstruction