Radical Reconstruction Ms. Weston APUSH12/1/06

Congressional Reconstruction December 1865: Republicans outraged by presence of ex-Confederate leaders in Congress December 1865: Republicans outraged by presence of ex-Confederate leaders in Congress Concern that Southerners would now dominate national politics Concern that Southerners would now dominate national politics If they dominated, they could continue the Black Codes, virtually re-enslaving blacks. If they dominated, they could continue the Black Codes, virtually re-enslaving blacks. Congress outraged when Johnson declared that the rebellious states had satisfied his conditions and were a part of the Union. Congress outraged when Johnson declared that the rebellious states had satisfied his conditions and were a part of the Union.

Johnson v. Congress 1. Johnson vetoed a bill extending life of Freedman’s Bureau. 1. Johnson vetoed a bill extending life of Freedman’s Bureau. 2. Congress replies by passing Civil Rights Bill of 1866—gave African-Americans citizenship. PASSED OVER JOHNSON’S VETO! 2. Congress replies by passing Civil Rights Bill of 1866—gave African-Americans citizenship. PASSED OVER JOHNSON’S VETO! Introduce Fourteenth Amendment: grants citizenship to African-Americans among other provisions. Introduce Fourteenth Amendment: grants citizenship to African-Americans among other provisions. Johnson encourages Southern states to reject. Johnson encourages Southern states to reject.

Republicans Get Control Win majority in Congress in Election of Win majority in Congress in Election of Key radical leaders: Key radical leaders: Charles Sumner in Senate—wanted black freedom and racial equality. Charles Sumner in Senate—wanted black freedom and racial equality. Thaddeus Stevens in House--”friend of blacks,” had defended runaway slaves, hated white southerners. Thaddeus Stevens in House--”friend of blacks,” had defended runaway slaves, hated white southerners.

The Radical Plan Keep Southern states out of Union for awhile. Keep Southern states out of Union for awhile. Use federal power to bring about drastic social and economic transformation of the South. Use federal power to bring about drastic social and economic transformation of the South. Wanted the vote for blacks—even if it took federal troops to do it. Wanted the vote for blacks—even if it took federal troops to do it.

Military Reconstruction Reconstruction Act of 1867: Reconstruction Act of 1867: Divided the South into five military districts, each commanded by a Union general, policed by Union soldiers. Took vote away from many former Confederates. Divided the South into five military districts, each commanded by a Union general, policed by Union soldiers. Took vote away from many former Confederates.

Reconstruction Act of 1867 ctnd. To return to Union, states had to ratify the 14 th Amendment, and guarantee full suffrage (15 th Amendment 1869) To return to Union, states had to ratify the 14 th Amendment, and guarantee full suffrage (15 th Amendment 1869) By 1870, all states re-organized into Union. By 1870, all states re-organized into Union. By 1877, military reconstruction ends. South goes back to electing Democrats, and to its old ways. By 1877, military reconstruction ends. South goes back to electing Democrats, and to its old ways.

Women’s Frustrations Angered by Reconstruction Amendments. Angered by Reconstruction Amendments. Believed they too had fought in abolitionist movement and that both blacks and women lacked basic civil rights. Believed they too had fought in abolitionist movement and that both blacks and women lacked basic civil rights. Especially angered at use of word “men” in 14 th and 15 th Amendments. Especially angered at use of word “men” in 14 th and 15 th Amendments.

The Realities of Radical Reconstruction Suffrage did allow for some degree of freedom Suffrage did allow for some degree of freedom Blacks began to organize politically—Union League Blacks began to organize politically—Union League Black political participation expanded exponentially during Reconstruction. Black political participation expanded exponentially during Reconstruction. Southerners resentful— esp. of “scalawags” and “carpetbaggers” Southerners resentful— esp. of “scalawags” and “carpetbaggers”

Pros and Cons of Radical Reconstruction Pros: Passed much desirable legislation and reform Pros: Passed much desirable legislation and reform Established public schools, reformed tax system, established public works programs and property rights for women. Established public schools, reformed tax system, established public works programs and property rights for women. Cons: Graft Cons: Graft Although graft was rampant in North too. Although graft was rampant in North too.

The Ku Klux Klan Savage measure against “radical rule” Savage measure against “radical rule” Founded in 1866 as secret organization Founded in 1866 as secret organization Used terror and force to intimidate blacks—especially those in power. Used terror and force to intimidate blacks—especially those in power. One incident in 1868 where over 200 people killed or wounded by KKK in only two days. One incident in 1868 where over 200 people killed or wounded by KKK in only two days. Congress responded with Force Acts Congress responded with Force Acts Ineffective, KKK remained just one way that South kept it’s black population disenfranchised. Ineffective, KKK remained just one way that South kept it’s black population disenfranchised.

Congress Impeaches Johnson Radicals angered by his vetoes, obstruction of their plans. Radicals angered by his vetoes, obstruction of their plans. Congress passed Tenure of Office Act in 1867— impeached Johnson for violating it. Congress passed Tenure of Office Act in 1867— impeached Johnson for violating it. In end, decided “not guilty” by one vote! In end, decided “not guilty” by one vote! WHY? WHY? People didn’t want to upset checks and balances People didn’t want to upset checks and balances Also, didn’t want Johnson’s vice president, a Radical, to become president. Also, didn’t want Johnson’s vice president, a Radical, to become president.

“Seward’s Folly” By 1867, Russians ready to sell Alaska—didn’t want it to go to British, believed it was “furred out” By 1867, Russians ready to sell Alaska—didn’t want it to go to British, believed it was “furred out” Sec. of State William Seward negotiated a treaty buying it for $7.2 million. Sec. of State William Seward negotiated a treaty buying it for $7.2 million. General public laughed at Seward, didn’t understand purpose. General public laughed at Seward, didn’t understand purpose. Proved profitable later because of oil and gas. Proved profitable later because of oil and gas.

The Impact of Reconstruction Resentment in South Resentment in South Republican’s didn’t really accomplish goals of helping blacks or strengthening Republican party Republican’s didn’t really accomplish goals of helping blacks or strengthening Republican party Blacks virtually re-enslaved and South hated the Republican party for nearly 100 years. Blacks virtually re-enslaved and South hated the Republican party for nearly 100 years.

The “Old South Resurrected” WHY? WHY? Deep-seated racism Deep-seated racism American belief in property rights American belief in property rights Loyalty to ideas of local self-government Loyalty to ideas of local self-government Spreading indifference in North to plight of blacks. Spreading indifference in North to plight of blacks. IN THE END, RECONSTRUCTION WAS A NOBLE, BUT FAILED ATTEMPT TO EXTEND AMERICAN PRINCPLES OF EQUITY AND JUSTICE.