CHAPTER 17RECONSTRUCTION

Section OneRebuilding the South

Reconstruction

The process of readmitting the former Confederate states into the Union.

1865-1877

Southerners Return Home World they knew was gone. Cities, towns, farms ruined. Crop failure = high food prices Confederate $ worthless Bridges & Railroads destroyed.

Ten Percent Plan Lincoln’s Plan Offered Southerners amnesty (official

pardon) for illegal acts supporting the rebellion.

Southerners had to: Swear an oath of loyalty to the U.S. Agree that slavery was illegal

Only 10 % of voters in a state had to do this and a state could be readmitted to Union

Wade- Davis Bill Some politicians argued that Congress not

the president should control reconstruction. Some Republicans felt 10% plan not far

enough. Senator Benjamin Wade & Representative Henry

Davis Ban Slavery Majority of adult males (so over 50%, not 10%) Had to swear never supported Confederacy to

hold office.

13th Amendment Proposed by Lincoln in January 1865 Banned slavery forever throughout

the U.S. Took many months of political

maneuvering to get it passed. Went into effect on Dec. 18th 1865 Garrison- “Our work is done!” Douglass disagrees…

Freed Slaves Couple legalize marriages Searched for missing relatives Newspaper ads seeking their

children Travel freely Sign Mr. & Mrs. Begin to demand equal rights & education

Freedmen in South

Majority of Freed slaves stayed in the South.

Many moved to Southern cities and town and started schools & churches.

Many stayed near the plantations they had grown up on.

Did what they knew in the place they knew.

Freedmen’s Bureau Bill 1865

Initiated by Lincoln, Congress Pass March 1865

Created the Freedmen’ Bureau Agency to assist & provide relief for freed

people and poor Southerners. Used a limited budget to:

Distribute food Establish schools Legal help –supervise contracts between freedpeople & employers Help African American veterans

Lincoln Assassinated On April 14th 1865 President Lincoln

went to see a play with his wife at Ford’s Theatre in D.C.

Shot by John Wilkes Booth Southerner angry with Lincoln’s policies He died the next morning. “Now he belongs to the ages….” -Stanton

Manhunt Begins Booth’s accomplices had planned to

kill VP Andrew Johnson & Secretary State William Seward.

Union troops begin massive manhunt for Booth & his accomplices.

After 12 days on the run Booth is cornered & killed at Garrett's Farm in VA.

President Johnson

Vice President Andrew Johnson was sworn in as President shortly after Lincoln’s death.

President Johnson was a Democrat from Tennessee & former slaveholder.

His Reconstruction Plan’s similar to Lincoln.

President Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan States have to revise state

constitutions Create new state Gov’t Declare secession illegal Ratify the 13th Amendment to reenter union.

Reconstruction Complete?

By end of 1865 most South had created new Gov’ts & sent Representatives to Congress

Johnson pardons 7,000 ex-Confederate officials by 1866.

Johnson approves new Southern State Gov’ts & declares Union restored.

Congress Refuses

Republicans complain that many of these new representatives were the same ones that just led the rebellion!

Congress refuses to readmit the Southern states.