1. The South after the War
Reconstruction

2. Reconstruction 1865-1877 5 Major Questions following the Civil War:
How to re-build the South?
2) How to bring Southern states
back into the United States?
3) How to bring former slaves
into the United States as free
men and women?

3. 4. Should people who fought against the United State be allowed
to become American citizens? Should they be punished?
5. What should be done to southern state governments that fought
against the United States?

4. The South’s transportation network was in very poor shape.
Property losses
The value of farms and plantations declined steeply and suffered from neglect and loss of workers.
The South’s transportation network was in very poor shape.
Challenges for African Americans
Had gained freedom, but had no money and little, if any, education.
South's poor economy made job prospects bleak.
Many legal and political questions regarding the South needed to be answered.
Debate over Reconstruction led to bitter conflict in the years following the Civil War

5. Reconstruction Debate
President Lincoln)and members of Congress had different ideas about how to achieve these goals.
The debate over Reconstruction led to bitter conflicts in the years following the Civil War.

6. Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
Lincoln’s 10% Plan
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
(December 8, 1863)
Amnesty
Granting of a pardon to a large number of persons.
Forgiveness for any crimes committed – to those who swore loyalty to the Union
*Only Confederate leaders would not be offered amnesty.*

7. Lincoln’s 10% Plan
Any southern state with at least 10% of its voters making a pledge to be loyal to the U.S.
States also had to accept a ban on slavery.
Only 3 States set up new Gov’ts under Lincolns plan
Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee
Congress was not willing to accept the new states
Lincoln did not want to punish the South after the war ended. He believed that punishment would accomplish little and would slow the nations healing from the war. Lincoln wanted to see white southerners who supported the Union take charge of their state governments

8. Radical Republicans
Members of Congress believed Lincoln went too easy on the South.
A group of Republicans favored a more radical approach.
These Radicals were very powerful – they controlled Congress
They could – and did – vote to deny entry from those under Lincoln’s Plan.
Lincoln objected – wanted new state government's to be quickly established and the rebuilding of the South to get underway.

9. Congress Reconstruction Plan
Wade-Davis Bill
Stated that to rejoin the Union, a state must meet three requirements:
Majority of the state’s white male adults pledge loyalty to the Union.
Only white males who swore they had not fought against the Union could vote for delegates
All new state constitutions had to ban slavery.
Pocket Veto: an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.
Congress was about to end its session, he was able to refuse to sign it, and the bill died after congress adjourned

10. Lincoln: N to the O Objected the harshness
Believed gov’ts needed to be established quickly and begin rebuilding
Refused to sign the bill: Pocket Veto
Bill died but…
Lincoln realized he would have to compromise with the Radicals

11. Freedmen’s Bureau
Lincoln & Congress together created to help African Americans adjust to life after slavery
Provided:
Food, clothing, and medical care
Set up schools and helped some get land to farm or find work
Legal protection
Accomplishments of the Freedmen's Bureau
distributed food in the form of army rations to newly freed slaves
provided medical assistance from army doctors and hospitals
helped to develop sanitary conditions in homes
oversaw labor contracts with employers
protected former slaves' legal rights in the courts
established hundreds of schools for African American children