1. Putting the Country Back Together
Reconstruction
Putting the Country Back Together

2. Problems in the South after the war
Plantations and Farms
Slaves were gone – no labor
Horses and mules were rare
Barns, Houses, and crops had been burned
Cities
Many had been destroyed
Industry was destroyed – few factories and R.R.
There was a huge number of freed slaves looking for work – their families (4 million)
Leadership
All the leaders in the South had gone with the Confederate government and could not be trusted to serve in leadership roles during reconstruction.

3. Plans for reunification
Lincoln’s Plan – Lenient Plan
Lincoln wanted to restore the union fast.
Except for a few high-ranking confederates, he would offer amnesty to all southern who pledged a loyalty oath.
When 10 % of states voters from pledged oath, the state could come back.
He supported the 13th amendment and thought that former slaves that could read and write and who had served the union should be allowed to vote.

4. Congress’s plan – The Wade – Davis Bill
Congress (Radicals Republicans) wanted to get even with the south
Wanted to put south under military rule
Said 50% had to take a loyalty oath before state could be readmitted
Their plan excluded confederate supporters
Federal courts would enforce emancipation

5. Johnson’s plan for “Restoration”
Offered amnesty to ALL who would take loyalty oath
High ranking officials had to get Presidential pardon
Set no hard percentage for readmission but said it would need to be at least ½
Each state had to revoke secession, abolish slavery and ratify the 13th amendment, and pay their war debts

6. President vs. Congress
Johnson and the Radical Republicans clash over everything
In 1868, Congress voted to impeach Johnson.
Johnson missed being removed from office by 1 vote but really had no power after that.

7. Radical Reconstruction
The Reconstruction Act of 1867
Est. new state governments under military rule
The states had to hold new state constitutional conventions voted on by ALL males.
The new constitutions had to abolish slavery
When voters ratified the constitutions, t14th amendment, and later the 15th amendment, they could come back.