RECONSTRUCTION

How do we fix the South? How would the South rebuild its shattered society and economy after the damage inflicted by four years of war? Was it the North’s duty to help them?

What to do with the Southern States? Should the former states of the Confederacy be treated as states that had never really left the Union or as conquered territory subject to continued military occupation? Under what conditions would the Southern states be fully accepted as coequal partners in the restored Union?

What should be done with the newly freed slaves? What will be the place in society of 4 million freed blacks, and to what extent, if at all, was the federal government responsible for helping them to adjust to freedom?

Who makes these decision? Congress or President?

What actually happened? Reading and Film –Outline the difference between the Presidential and Congressional plans for reconstruction (restoration?)

Was it a success?

Plessey v. Ferguson, 1896

Freedmen and the New South Helping freed slaves: – Special Field Order No. 15 – Freedmen’s Bureau – 14th amendment – 15th amendment – Civil Rights Act of 1875 – Enforcement Acts Hurting freed slaves: – KKK – Sharecropping – Black Codes – Withdrawal of Northern Troops – Jim Crow…

Ending Reconstruction: 1872 – many confederates given right to vote, Freedmen’s bureau collapses Supreme Court starts overriding congressional acts – more power to states Lots of scandals with Grant, bad economy, Republicans shift attention to other things and retreat….

The End: Compromise of 1877: Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep.) has controversial win, Rep. leaders strike deal with Dems – Hayes can win if North withdraws form South – Reconstruction is over!