Reconstruction

Reconstruction1865-1877

Political reform movement following Civil War

Involved Presidents and members of Congress

Different groups emerge and push for different aims for Reconstruction

At end of Civil War = over 600,000 dead, South’s economy destroyed, what to do with 3.5 million former slaves?

Background

Overview… Three rounds of Reconstruction

◦ First: Presidential (Lincoln, Johnson)◦ Second: Congressional (Radical Republican)◦ Third: Redemption (Southern Conservatives)

The process of putting the nation back together following the Civil War

Lincoln’s Plan (viewed as lenient)◦ 1863 – Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Ten% of voters in Confed. states had to Accept emancipation Swear loyalty to the Union

High ranking Confed. officials could not vote or hold office unless pardoned by President

◦ Once conditions were satisfied, a state could return to the Union

◦ Lenient because Lincoln wanted to make it easy to return

Reconstruction: Lincoln’s Plan

Wade-Davis Bill (1864) Congress's plan:

◦ 50% must take oath◦ Only non-Confederates allowed to vote

for state-constitution◦ Pocket vetoed by Lincoln

Benjamin Wade

Henry Davis

Members of Congress – Radical Republicans Thaddeus Stevens Charles Sumner

Andrew Johnson – VP; assumed office after Lincoln dies

Influential Individuals of Reconstruction

Goals:◦ Punish the South for causing the Civil War◦ Fought to protect the rights of former slaves

Thaddeus Stevens◦ Focused on economic opportunities for former

slaves◦ Distribute land to former slaves

Charles Sumner Focused on citizenship and political rights for former

slaves

Radical Republicans

Former Senator from TN; VP for Lincoln◦ TN part of Confederacy but Johnson remained

loyal to Union A democrat; Reconstruction plan similar to

Lincoln’s Issued 13,000 pardons Unconcerned with rights of former slaves as

states began to pass black codes

Andrew Johnson

Laws that established conditions similar to slavery for black Americans◦ African Americans couldn’t leave plantations,

restrictions on racial intermarriage, not able to serve on juries or testify against whites in court

Black Codes

Black Codes

Prohibited blacks from renting land or borrowing money to buy land

Forced freedmen to sign work contracts

Prohibited blacks from testifying against whites

Johnson opposed to organization Oversaw relief efforts designed to aid

former slaves Established schools, provided medical

supplies, food, clothing Helped to reunite families separated under

slavery Congress voted to extend funding but

Johnson vetoed renewal

Freedman’s Bureau

1868 Impeachment: to bring official charges

against the President (majority vote in HoR) Trial/Removal: The President stands trial

(Senate acts as jury; 2/3 majority vote needed for removal)

Remained President but largely ineffective following trial

Impeachment

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Congress took control of Reconstruction and began implementing actions to punish South

Reconstruction Acts (1867-1868):◦ Former Confederate States were militarily

occupied by U.S. troops 5 military districts; only TN not part of occupation

(already ratified 14th in 1866)◦ States could re-enter the Union once they ratified

the 14th Amendment

Congressional Reconstruction

Congressional Reconstruction

Reconstruction Act of 1867◦ South under military occupation

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

Prohibited slavery

13th Amendment

All persons born in the US are citizens of the US

All citizens are guaranteed equal treatment under the law

Punished states that denied adult males the right to vote

14th Amendment

Guaranteed the right to vote for African Americans

15th Amendment

Civil War Amendments were a success; however, there was no redistribution of land and most former slaves lived as sharecroppers and had little economic opportunity

Limits to Reconstruction

Reforms after Grant’s Election

Election of 1868

Black votes the difference!

Reconstruction in the South

Scalawags – Southern Republicans

Carpetbaggers – northerners who went south

African-American legislators

North During Reconstruction

Grant Administration scandals (e.g. Credit Mobilier Affair, Whiskey Ring) discredits itself

Local politics crazy too… Boss Tweed & Tammany Hall

Election of 1872

Panic of 1873 Over speculation on industry and railroads

leads to depression Debtors demanded inflationary greenbacks Grant vetoed release of more greenbacks

Helped end Reconstruction Two candidates:

◦ Samuel Tilden: Dem. From NY; political reformer◦ Rutherford B. Hayes: Rep.; former OH Gov.

SC, FL, LA voter irregularity; both claimed to win

1876 Election

Election of 1876 Closely contested…

Electoral Commission◦ 7 Dems.◦ 8 Repub.

Compromise of 1877◦ Hayes is President (pleases North)◦ Military occupation ended in the South (please

white Southerners) Rights of former slaves not protected

◦ Hayes would support building southern transcontinental railroad

Wormley Hotel, D.C.

1. Brainstorm a response: To what extent was Reconstruction a political success or failure?

2. Create a thesis that responds to the prompt

3. Write your intro. Paragraph – to be collected at

Respond in your journal: