Political Reconstruction

Reconstruction

The period of Reconstruction was extremely controversial for both the North and South. Many historians call the period “The Second Civil War,” as the regions remained bitter as their wounds from the Civil War healed. Many questions loomed about who would direct the process of Reconstruction. There were many more questions about what was to be done with the emancipated slaves. Though lofty in its ideals, Reconstruction did little to ameliorate the plight of African Americans, or bring the North and South to agreeable terms. It did however push the nation into the direction of equality.

Organizing Principle

Lincoln’s wartime conundrum:Treaty?

Recognizes South Readmission?

Strict vs. lenient

WWLD?

LenientGeneral amnesty

Oath 10%=statehood

Officials of the ConfederacyNucleus of Southern Unionists (“traitors”) would make

up gov’t.Suffrage (voting rights) for blacks?

Touchy subjectLouisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee

Readmitted under LincolnRadicals in Congress resist

Wade-Davis Bill“pocket” veto

Lincoln’s Plan (the 10% Plan)

R.I.P. LincolnLincoln Assassinated:

April 14, 1865Ford’s Theater in D.C.John Wilkes Booth

Andrew Johnson becomes president

President JohnsonTennessee Democrat

Resented plantersRejected racial equality

Presidential ReconstructionLenient in practice

Amnesty for oath$20,000 taxable propertyProvisional governor

Constitutional ConventionRevoke ordinance of secession Ratify 13th amendmentRepudiate debts

Presidential Reconstruction in Practice

All seceded states “reconstructed” under Lincoln & Johnson’s plans by 1865“Restoration” during congressional recess!

Congress refuses to recognize Johnson governments due to:Reluctance to abolish slaveryDeny blacks the voteElected prominent Confederates

Alexander Stephens VP of Confederacy elected to Senate

Black Codes 1865-1866Designed to regulate the newly freed blacks

in the SouthVagrancy laws

Apprehend unemployed blacksFine them for vagrancyHired out to private employers to satisfy the fines

Back to the plantationCertain states

Blacks cannot own/lease landBlacks cannot be employed outside of plantation

workCould not serve on a jury

Students need to complete the following after being assigned a partner:

1. Annotate the laws (summarize in as few words as possible).

2. Complete the questions under O(rigin) and P(urpose) on the OPVL handout.

Black Codes

Federal Government’s Response

CongressExtends the life of the Freedman’s Bureau

Widens their powers Passed the First Civil Rights Act (1866)

Black citizenship—strikes at Black CodesJohnson resists

Vetoes (twice)Congress overrides

Midterm Elections—1866 Campaigns for candidates

The Fourteenth Amendment 1866

Defines American citizenshipEqual protection of the lawsImposed penalties on states that denied male

suffrageImposed a 2/3s pardon on former

confederates/sympathizers

State readmission contingent on ratification

The Congressional Plan (Radical Reconstruction)

Led by Thaddeus Stevens (PA) and Charles Sumner (MA)

Congress passes Reconstruction Acts (1867)Details

5 military districtsRegister qualified votersConstitutions—black suffrage (voting rights)Adopt 14th amendment

1868—6 states readmitted VA, TX, & MS—1869-70

Also had to ratify 15th Amendment Could not deny the vote based on “race, color, or…condition of

servitude” Black votes give 1868 election to U.S. Grant

Johnson’s ImpeachmentJohnson was an impediment to

ReconstructionRefused to implement Congressional Plan

Radicals wanted him removedTenure of Office ActDismissal of Stanton=impeachment

Impeachment trialSpring 186835-19 (one short of 2/3s)