Transcript Reconstruction Era-1865-1877 - HelpUSFox

Reconstruction Era-1865-1877
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•If you were in charge of
Reconstruction, how would you treat
the returning South? (harsh, nice,etc.)
•What would they have to do to rejoin
the Union?
Sherman
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“War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.
We are not only fighting hostile armies,
but a hostile people, and must make
young and old, rich and poor, feel the hard
hand of war!”
Problems faced by the South
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Rebuild infrastructure
– Towns/railroads/farms/factories etc.
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Re-organize political system
What to do with the 4 million former slaves?
What to do with the Confederate leadership?
(Soldiers, generals, government?)
Who should be in charge of the Reconstruction?
(South, President, Congress?)
How to rebuild the economy of the South?
3 Plans of Reconstruction
Lincoln’s Plan
 Andrew Johnson’s Plan
 Radical Republican Congress Plan
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Lincoln’s Plan
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“10% Plan”
– President in charge of Reconstruction
– When 10% of eligible voters from the 1860 election pledged an oath to
the US, and agreed to Emancipation Proclamation, the state would be
let back into the Union
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Good plan?
Why is he is very lenient to South?
– He felt they never left the Union, secession wasn’t legal, so be easy, it
was a few crazies in the South that left, not the whole population of the
South
– Be nice= less hard feelings
– Regain trust, loyalty of South
– If the goal is the Reconstruct and bring the states back, this was a
quick easy way to do it!
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If you fought in this war for the North, would you be happy with this
plan?
Lincoln Assassination
Louisiana was 1st to agree to Lincoln’s
plan, but Congress refused to seat the
Louisiana delegates
 Congress tries Wade-Davis Bill, but Lincoln
vetoes it
 Lincoln shot and killed, so his plan is dead
also
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Johnson’s Plan
Incorporates some of Lincoln’s plan, but a little
tougher
 Parts
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Declare secession illegal
Swear oath of loyalty
Ratify 13th amendment
Confederate leaders had to apply for pardons to
Johnson directly
– Southern states agree to repay their own debts
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Fair?
Problems faced by Johnson as
President
Wasn’t elected
 Shadow of Lincoln the Emancipator
 He was from the South (Tennessee)
 He was a Democrat
 He was only Southerner who remained in
Congress after secession of the South
 Traitor of the South?
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Johnson’s Impeachment
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Republicans despised Johnson and wanted to run
Reconstruction
“Sir Veto”
Tenure of Office Act- 1867- President needed permission
of Senate to remove any Presidential appointments
(cabinet members!) Why is this aimed at screwing
Johnson?
– Lincoln leftover Stanton (war)
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Johnson removed Stanton, Congress impeaches Johnson
– Violation of Tenure of Office Act
– Verbal assaults on Congress
– Conduct of “disgrace, ridicule, hatred, contempt, and reproach
 1st President to be impeached, but found not guilty by 1 vote
(2/3rds needed)
Affect of Impeachment
President weakened
 Congress in charge of Reconstruction
 Altered checks and balances
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– Congress really strong
– South not back yet
– Texas vs. White- Supreme Court recognizes Congress
power to run Reconstruction over Southern states
– Northern Republicans in Congress probably the most
powerful political entity in US history during
Reconstruction!!!!
Congressional Reconstruction
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Wade-Davis Bill
– Congress in charge
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13th/14th/15th Amendments
Civil Rights Act 1866
– Tried to limit black codes
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Military Reconstruction Act 1867
– 5 military districts
– Northern generals govern with almost king-like powers
KKK Acts-1871
 Civil Rights Act 1875- protects black rights in public
places
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