Johnson, Johnson, Congress, & Congress, &

ReconstructionReconstruction

Differences of OpinionDifferences of Opinion President Andrew President Andrew

JohnsonJohnson No equal rights/No No equal rights/No

right to vote for former right to vote for former slavesslaves

States should decide States should decide the fate of freed peoplethe fate of freed people

Punishment for Punishment for Confederate leadersConfederate leaders

Each state must be Each state must be represented for laws to represented for laws to “count”.“count”.

CongressCongress Right to vote for Right to vote for

freed peoplefreed people The federal The federal

government should government should act to ensure fairness act to ensure fairness in southern statesin southern states

Congress composed Congress composed of Union states of Union states should make laws for should make laws for the southern states.the southern states.

Reconstruction Act of Reconstruction Act of 18671867

New governments required in Southern New governments required in Southern States (except Tennessee)States (except Tennessee)

5 military districts In the south5 military districts In the south African-American voting rightsAfrican-American voting rights No confederates in officeNo confederates in office To reenter Union, the states must ratify the To reenter Union, the states must ratify the

1414thth (native-born citizenship) amendment (native-born citizenship) amendment and submit constitutions for approval.and submit constitutions for approval.

A second act required military commanders A second act required military commanders to begin registering voters.to begin registering voters.

Response to Response to ReconstructionReconstruction

Many white southerners refuse to vote in Many white southerners refuse to vote in state elections.state elections.

Because of this, Republicans gain control Because of this, Republicans gain control of southern states.of southern states. By 1868 Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, By 1868 Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,

Georgia, Louisiana, N. Carolina, and S. Georgia, Louisiana, N. Carolina, and S. Carolina have met conditions. Carolina have met conditions. (Mississippi, Virginia, and Texas by (Mississippi, Virginia, and Texas by 1870)1870)

Johnson opposes Radical Johnson opposes Radical ReconstructionReconstruction

Violates rights of Violates rights of statesstates

He can control He can control military military commanders commanders (why?)(why?)

Congress tries to Congress tries to limit his power limit his power over over reconstructionreconstruction

Tenure of Office ActTenure of Office Act

The president must now seek The president must now seek approval to remove government approval to remove government officials.officials. This threatens the power of the This threatens the power of the

president.president. This act would lead to impeachment This act would lead to impeachment

proceedings against the president.proceedings against the president.

IMPEACHMENT!IMPEACHMENT!

In 1867 Johnson suspends Edwin In 1867 Johnson suspends Edwin Stanton (Sec. of War) without Stanton (Sec. of War) without congressional approval.congressional approval.

Congress Charges him with violating Congress Charges him with violating the Tenure of Office Act.the Tenure of Office Act.

Johnson responds by installing Johnson responds by installing military commanders that congress military commanders that congress doesn’t like.doesn’t like.

The House impeaches JohnsonThe House impeaches Johnson

Impeachment TrialImpeachment Trial

Andrew Johnson goes on trial in 1868.Andrew Johnson goes on trial in 1868. He claims that he has the right to challenge the He claims that he has the right to challenge the

Tenure of Office Act as being unconstitutional.Tenure of Office Act as being unconstitutional. Also, he claimed that removal of the president Also, he claimed that removal of the president

over “a difference of opinion” was wrong.over “a difference of opinion” was wrong. Congress votes 35-19 in favor of Congress votes 35-19 in favor of

impeachment, but this is 1 vote shy of the impeachment, but this is 1 vote shy of the 2/3rds majority needed.2/3rds majority needed.

Johnson is able to finish his term, but does Johnson is able to finish his term, but does not run again.not run again.

Election of 1870Election of 1870

Ulysses S. Grant wins as a Ulysses S. Grant wins as a Republican Candidate.Republican Candidate. He is helped in his win by garnering He is helped in his win by garnering

almost all the votes of the freedmen.almost all the votes of the freedmen. After the election, congress passes After the election, congress passes

the 15the 15thth amendment. amendment. This guarantees the right to vote for all This guarantees the right to vote for all

male citizens regardless of race, color, male citizens regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude”or previous condition of servitude”

The South The South During During

ReconstructionReconstruction

Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan sought to sought to intimidate former intimidate former slaves and whites slaves and whites who fought for who fought for equality through equality through violence and violence and terror.terror.

Responsbile for a Responsbile for a massacre of massacre of African-American African-American soldiers during the soldiers during the civil war, Nathan civil war, Nathan Bedford Forrest Bedford Forrest eventually became eventually became leader of the Klan.leader of the Klan.

Through threats Through threats and violence, the and violence, the Ku Klux Klan often Ku Klux Klan often succeeded in succeeded in driving off those driving off those they disagreed they disagreed with.with.

1515thth Amendment Amendment

Voting RightsVoting Rights

Though equal voting rights were Though equal voting rights were extended in the 15extended in the 15thth Amendment, Amendment, many African-Americans were many African-Americans were prevented from fairly voting.prevented from fairly voting.

ImprovementsImprovements

Public Schools (mostly segregated)Public Schools (mostly segregated) Universities (Morehouse, Atlanta)Universities (Morehouse, Atlanta) Some landownership, mostly Some landownership, mostly

sharecropping though.sharecropping though.

Reconstruction DeclinesReconstruction Declines

Northerners begin to lose interestNortherners begin to lose interest Southern Democrats begin to regain Southern Democrats begin to regain

control as Republicans splinter.control as Republicans splinter. Former confederates gain amnesty Former confederates gain amnesty

and can vote and run for office.and can vote and run for office.

The End of The End of ReconstructionReconstruction

Amnesty ActAmnesty Act

In 1872, Congress passes the In 1872, Congress passes the Amnesty Act which pardons almost Amnesty Act which pardons almost all former confederates. all former confederates. How will this affect reconstruction?How will this affect reconstruction?

Democrats back in PowerDemocrats back in Power

White southerners return to votingWhite southerners return to voting Intimidation prevents African-Intimidation prevents African-

Americans from voting in southern Americans from voting in southern states.states.

This brings the Democrats back into This brings the Democrats back into political power.political power.

The Compromise of 1877The Compromise of 1877 In the election of 1876 Rutherford B. In the election of 1876 Rutherford B.

Hayes wins, despite losing the popular Hayes wins, despite losing the popular vote.vote.

The election is contested by democrats.The election is contested by democrats. THE COMPROMISE-THE COMPROMISE-

Hayes would be president, but Hayes would be president, but reconstruction would be over.reconstruction would be over.

The federal government would no longer The federal government would no longer attempt to reshape Southern Society.attempt to reshape Southern Society.

Some favors would be granted to the South.Some favors would be granted to the South. The new government would give more aid.The new government would give more aid. All remaining troops would withdrawal.All remaining troops would withdrawal.