CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTIONCh. 12 Sec. 2

Reconstruction in General Lincoln

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.”

Morison- “Ten thousand curses on the memory of that foulest of assassins, J.

Wilkes Booth. Not only did he kill a great and good President; he gave flesh life to the very forces of hate and vengeance which Lincoln himself was trying to kill. Had Lincoln lived, there is every likelihood that his magnanimous policy towards the South would have prevailed; for even after his death, it almost went through despite the radicals. Never has a murderer wrought so much evil.”

Now that Lincoln is dead, can his awesome vision of Reconstruction be brought to life?

A. Andrew Johnson’s Plan 1. General amnesty-

except those with wealth over $20,000.

2. Re-entry based on… A. Repudiation of debts B. Abolishment of

slavery and acceptance of 13th Amendment.

C. Repeal it’s order of secession.

Johnson’s Plan 3. By Dec. 4, 1865, all states (except Texas)

met the requirements. 4. Radical republicans reject the plan for

several reasons. A. Ratification of 13th Am. means more Southern

(Democratic) representation in Congress. B. Southern states elect CSA leaders into House,

Senate, and Governor positions. C. Southern states pass black codes, intending

to keep blacks from voting. So begins the segregated social system in the south.

B. Congressional Reconstruction 1. Radical Republican’s response:

A. March 1866- Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. (except

N.A.’s) Blacks can own property. Blacks will be treated equally in court. U.S. Gov’t can sue anyone who violates these rights.

B. Ratified the 14th Amendment to guarantee these rights. Read it. Johnson against it. It would provide less support for

his reconstruction plan.

Military Reconstruction C. 1867-Military Reconstruction Act

1. Did away with Johnson’s reconstruction programs.

2. Divided the CSA into 5 military districts (Except TN).

3. States had to hold constitutional convention. Give suffrage to all adult males. Ratify the 14th Amendment. Only then could a state elect people to congress.

Johnson urges states not to ratify 14th.

Military Reconstruction 3. Radicals feared Johnson would refuse

to enforce the Military CA. Shady business ensues…

Passage the Command of Army Act- All military orders from the president had to go through the Army headquarters.

Tenure of Office Act- senate must approve removals of gov’t officials whose appointment required senate approval.

Radicals know that Johnson will be forced to remove Edwin Stanton- Radical Secretary of War.

Impeachment Johnson removes Stanton and

asks for congressional consent—refused.

Johnson orders him out anyway. 3. Articles of Impeachment

filed on Johnson. Trial is held, falls one vote

short of conviction. Moderate republicans stand

with democrats. Impeachment trials leaves

Johnson almost powerless, does not run for re-election in 1868.

D. Grant takes office D. Election of 1868- Republican Gen.

Ulysses S. Grant rides the black vote in the South to win easily. 1. Republican-led congress passes the 15th

Amendment. Right to vote would not be denied based on

color, race, or previous servitude.

Congressional Reconstruction E. Congressional Reconstruction

experienced bad press, but was more moderate that it seemed.

1. no major Confederate leaders were imprisoned for long except Jefferson Davis

2. no long-term probationary period before states could reenter the Union

3. no reorganization of local governments - where day to day decisions are made

4. no national program of education for former slaves is demanded

5. only minor confiscation and redistribution of land

REPUBLICAN RULE IN THE SOUTH12.3

Republicans Rule the South A. Military reconstruction led northern

Republican leaders to control state governments.

B. Make-Up of state governments: 1. Predominantly white 2. Northern Republicans who had come

South… A. Seeking economic opportunity B. Retired Union officers seeking warmer

climate. C. Missionaries and teachers seeking social

reform. D. Moderate black politicians

i. Lumped together they are referred to as carpetbaggers.

Accomplishments of Republicans in the South

C. Accomplishments of Republicans in South 1. Revised state constitutions

A. Universal male suffrage B. Reduced office holding qualifications

2. Social Reform A. abolition of imprisonment for debt. B. Reform of handicapped treatment and

prison codes. 3. Physical Reconstruction

A. Rebuilt harbors, bridges, roads B. State-supported public education

(segregated) i. black school attendance 1867-5% 1880-40% ii. White school attendance -20% -

60%

Violence in the South D. Democrats use violence to

intimidate and restore power to the Southern elite. 1. 1867- Ku Klux Klan is organized

(aka: KKK, Knights of the White Camelia) A. “We must render this either a white

man’s government, or convert the land into a Negro man’s cemetery.”

B. Result: Congress passes three “Enforcement Acts”

i. Makes it illegal to be part of the KKK. II. Illegal to interfere with a person voting. III. Gives President power to stop the

violence in the South. 1. 1874- Force Acts declared

unconstitutional- racism prevails.

Slaves Reaction to Freedom E. Slave Reaction to Freedom

1. Some fled their masters, some stayed 2. Many sought employment in towns and

cities. 3. Legal marriage was widespread 4. Surnames adopted– both masters names

and symbols of freedom 5. Primarily freedmen sought land

A. No “forty acres and a mule”

Outline of 12.4 Suggestions:

Sin Taxes Grant’s Scandals Panic of 1873 Compromise of 1877 “New South”

Tenant Farmers, Sharecroppers, furnishing merchants, crop liens, debt patronage