Transcript What is Reconstruction?

Reconstruction
Texas History
Monday, February 17, 2014
Reconstruction
a. What is Reconstruction?
i.
The period at the end of the Civil War
when Southern states were brought
back into the Union
ii. It also involved the rebuilding of areas
that had been destroyed by warfare.
Reconstruction
b. Much of the South lay in ruins,
though Texas had largely been
spared.
 Many people were without food and
shelter, and the differences between
the North and South remained.
Juneteenth
a.
On June 19, 1865, two years after the
Emancipation Proclamation was issued,
General Gordon Granger landed in
Galveston and declared all enslaved
Texans were free.
b. This day became known as Juneteenth—
the day African Americans in Texas
received freedom…it has since become
an annual celebration in Texas.
Juneteenth
c. Nearly 50,000 Union troops were
stationed in Texas by the end of
1865 to ensure order.
Two Presidential Plans
a.
Before his death, President Lincoln
wanted a moderate policy of
Reconstruction—one “with malice toward
none, and charity for all”. HIS GOAL? –
UNITY!
b. Andrew Johnson, the new president,
continued this plan and set up a
provisional government in each southern
state and appointed officers until the
state was readmitted to the Union.
Two Presidential Plans
i.
To be readmitted to the Union, each
southern state had to abolish slavery
and nullify, or cancel, its ordinance of
secession.
ii. To regain their right to vote, southern
citizens had to take an oath of
allegiance to the United States.
Governor Hamilton Works
to Restore Statehood
a.
Andrew J. Hamilton, a Unionist who had
been against secession, was named
provisional governor of Texas by federal
authorities in June 1865.
b. He was ordered to carry out
Reconstruction plans by restoring the
local/state government.
c. He sympathized with the people of Texas,
and many pledged cooperation, but
others were openly hostile toward him.
The Freedmen’s Bureau
Assists Texans
a. Former slaves were often referred to
as freedmen.
b. A new federal agency called the
Freedmen’s Bureau assisted many
African Americans in the South.
The Freedmen’s Bureau
Assists Texans
c.
It operated for 5 years by:
i.
ii.
Helping them find jobs.
Issuing food and clothing to the sick, aged,
and poor.
iii. Establishing the first public schools in Texas
for African American children.
d. Many southerners accused the
Freedmen’s Bureau agents of meddling in
local matters, wasting taxpayers’ money,
and strengthening the Republican Party.
Texas Government Restored
in 1886/People Moving
a. For 2 months, many former
Confederate Texans met in Austin to
write a new state constitution,
which:
i.
Stated secession illegal, slavery
abolished, and war debts canceled.
ii. Gave certain legal rights to African
Americans, but NOT the right to vote.
Texas Government Restored
in 1886/People Moving
b. Meanwhile, many travelers came to
Texas for better lives; while radical
Confederates left the state.
Texans Elect Ex-Confederates
to Office
a. Former Confederate commander
James W. Throckmorton was elected
governor; other were elected to U.S.
Congress
b. Meanwhile, the Texas legislature
refused to ratify the 13th amendment
(which abolished slavery), and the
14th amendment (which granted
citizenship to former slaves.
Texans Elect Ex-Confederates to Office
c. Southern states also restricted the
rights of African Americans with
black codes—they were not allowed
to vote, testify against or marry
whites, or serve on juries
Radical Republicans Take Charge
a. The Radical Republicans took
control of Reconstruction; and
disagreed with Lincoln and
Johnson’s plans.
b. They pushed a plan to set stricter
standards for readmitting Southern
states to the Union and that would
protect the freedom of African
Americans in the South.
Radical Republicans Take Charge
c. In the 1866 elections, they also had
enough power to override presidential
vetoes.
d. President Johnson, a moderate
Republican, fought against them and was
charged with misconduct in office. He
missed being impeached, or removed
from office, by 1 vote.
New Requirements for Statehood
a. In March 1867, Congress divided the
South into 5 districts. Texas and
Louisiana made up 1 district,
commanded by Major General Philip
Sheridan.
New Requirements for Statehood
b. Until states met certain requirements,
military rule continued. The requirements
(or conditions)?
i.
ii.
Ratify the 14th amendment (see section 1)
Ratify the 15th amendment, which gave
African American men the right to vote
iii. Repeal the Black Codes
iv. Take the Ironclad Oath, which said you never
served in the CSA army or aided them; and
allowed you to vote again!
Southerners Oppose Reconstruction
a. General Sheridan appointed Unionist
Elisha M. Pease, a Republican, as
governor after removing Throckmorton.
b. Southern white supporters of
Reconstruction were called scalawags.
Northerners who often came to the South
for political and economic gain were
called carpetbaggers. Both were
Unionists.
Southerners Oppose Reconstruction
c. In Texas and other Southern states,
organizations such as the Ku Klux
Klan used threats and violence to
prevent African Americans from
voting.
A New Constitution and Elections
a. In November 1869, Texans who
qualified to vote approved a new
constitution and elected a new
governor and other state officials.
b. The new state constitution also
stated no one should be excluded
from voting because of race or color.
A New Constitution and Elections
c. Edmund J. Davis, a Radical
Republican, narrowly defeated
former provisional governor and
moderate Republican Andrew J.
Hamilton.
A Republican Governor/A Democratic
Challenge
a. Davis was unpopular; and critics
complained that he and other
Republicans used their power to
restrict the political activities of their
opponents.
b. Southern Democrats retaliated with
threats and violence to keep African
Americans from voting.
A Republican Governor/A Democratic
Challenge
c. In 1873, Richard Coke, a Democrat
and ex-Confederate officer was
elected governor by twice the
number of votes than that of Davis.