reconstruction 1863-1877. phase 1: presidential reconstruction plans 1863-spring 1866

ReconstructReconstructionion

1863-18771863-1877

Phase 1:Phase 1:Presidential Presidential

Reconstruction Reconstruction PlansPlans

1863-Spring 18661863-Spring 1866

Presidential Reconstruction Presidential Reconstruction PlansPlans

Lincoln’s PlanLincoln’s Plan Wanted the process to be simple, meeting a Wanted the process to be simple, meeting a

minimum test of loyaltyminimum test of loyalty Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

(1863)(1863) Full presidential pardons to southerners who Full presidential pardons to southerners who

(1) took an oath of allegiance to the Union (1) took an oath of allegiance to the Union and the Constitution and (2) accepted the and the Constitution and (2) accepted the emancipation of slavesemancipation of slaves

State governments could be reestablished State governments could be reestablished as soon as 10% of the population took the as soon as 10% of the population took the oathoath


Congressional Republican PlanCongressional Republican Plan Wade-Davis Bill (1864)Wade-Davis Bill (1864)

Response by many Republicans who thought Response by many Republicans who thought that Lincoln’s plan would allow disloyal that Lincoln’s plan would allow disloyal secessionists to run state governmentssecessionists to run state governments

Required 50% of voters to take the loyalty Required 50% of voters to take the loyalty oathoath

Only non-confederates could vote on a Only non-confederates could vote on a new state constitutionnew state constitution

Lincoln Lincoln pocket-vetoespocket-vetoes the bill the bill Leaves it alone until after congress adjournsLeaves it alone until after congress adjourns


Congress was ready to reassert its power Congress was ready to reassert its power after the war in 1865after the war in 1865 Retake power of the presidentRetake power of the president

Freedmen’s BureauFreedmen’s Bureau(Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands)(Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands)

Provided food, shelter, medical aid for the Provided food, shelter, medical aid for the destitutedestitute

Benefited both blacks (mostly freed Benefited both blacks (mostly freed slaves) and homeless whitesslaves) and homeless whites

Had the authority to resettle freed blacks Had the authority to resettle freed blacks on confiscated farmlandon confiscated farmland


Led by General Oliver O. HowardLed by General Oliver O. Howard Greatest success in educationGreatest success in education Established almost 3,000 schools for Established almost 3,000 schools for

freed blacks as well as several freed blacks as well as several collegescolleges

Helped approximately 200,000 Helped approximately 200,000 African-Americans how to readAfrican-Americans how to read

Funding ended in 1870Funding ended in 1870

Last public address on Last public address on April 11, 1865April 11, 1865

Says he wants to grant Says he wants to grant the right to vote to the right to vote to “very intelligent” “very intelligent” freedmen and those freedmen and those who were soldierswho were soldiers

Suggests that he would Suggests that he would have adopted the have adopted the congressional congressional Republican agendaRepublican agenda

Loss of intelligent & Loss of intelligent & flexible leader makes flexible leader makes lasting reform lasting reform impossibleimpossible


Andrew Johnson’s PlanAndrew Johnson’s Plan Chosen as running mate in 1864 to Chosen as running mate in 1864 to

encourage pro-Union democrats to vote encourage pro-Union democrats to vote for the Union (Republican) partyfor the Union (Republican) party

Was the only senator from a Confederate Was the only senator from a Confederate state who stayed loyal to the Unionstate who stayed loyal to the Union

Tennessee’s war governorTennessee’s war governor Problem with him leading reconstruction:Problem with him leading reconstruction:

He’s a white supremacistHe’s a white supremacist


Plan is similar to Lincoln’s 10% PlanPlan is similar to Lincoln’s 10% Plan Provided for disfranchisement of certain Provided for disfranchisement of certain

groupsgroups(1) All former leaders and officeholders of the (1) All former leaders and officeholders of the

ConfederacyConfederacy(2) Confederates with more than $20,000 in (2) Confederates with more than $20,000 in

taxable propertytaxable property Retains power to pardon “disloyal” Retains power to pardon “disloyal”

southernerssoutherners Frequently pardoned wealthy plantersFrequently pardoned wealthy planters

Many former Confederates in power by fall, Many former Confederates in power by fall, 18651865

Southern Governments of 1865Southern Governments of 1865 8 months after Johnson takes office, all 11 8 months after Johnson takes office, all 11

of the ex-Confederate states qualified to of the ex-Confederate states qualified to rejoin the Unionrejoin the Union

They repudiated secession, negated debts They repudiated secession, negated debts of the Confederacy, ratified the 13of the Confederacy, ratified the 13thth Amendment.Amendment.

But they didn’t give blacks voting rights But they didn’t give blacks voting rights and ex-Confederates elected to congressand ex-Confederates elected to congress Alexander Stephens, VP of the CSA elected Alexander Stephens, VP of the CSA elected

senator from Georgiasenator from Georgia



Black CodesBlack Codes Restricted the rights of newly freed blacksRestricted the rights of newly freed blacks

Prohibited blacks from renting land or Prohibited blacks from renting land or borrowing money to buy landborrowing money to buy land

Placed freedmen into a form of Placed freedmen into a form of servitude by forcing them as “vagrants” servitude by forcing them as “vagrants” and “apprentices” to sign work and “apprentices” to sign work contractscontracts Worked in cotton fields under white Worked in cotton fields under white

supervision for deferred wagessupervision for deferred wages Prohibited blacks from testifying against Prohibited blacks from testifying against

whites in courtwhites in court


Republicans begin to ask “Who won the war?”Republicans begin to ask “Who won the war?”Begin to demonstrate unhappiness w/JohnsonBegin to demonstrate unhappiness w/Johnson

In 1866, Congress refuses to seat elected In 1866, Congress refuses to seat elected representatives and senators from former representatives and senators from former Confederate statesConfederate states

Johnson angers them again by vetoing 2 bills:Johnson angers them again by vetoing 2 bills:

(1) a bill increasing services and protection of (1) a bill increasing services and protection of Freedmen’s bureauFreedmen’s bureau

(2) a civil rights bill nullifying black codes and (2) a civil rights bill nullifying black codes and guaranteeing full citizenship and equal rights guaranteeing full citizenship and equal rights to blacksto blacks

Election of 1866Election of 1866 Johnson launches Johnson launches

campaign against campaign against RepublicansRepublicans

Appeals to racial Appeals to racial prejudicesprejudices

Says Equal Rights Says Equal Rights = “Africanization” = “Africanization” of societyof society

Republicans “wave Republicans “wave the bloody shirt”the bloody shirt” Inflame northern Inflame northern

voters by reminding voters by reminding them of wartime them of wartime hardshipshardships

Propaganda Propaganda campaign against campaign against DemocratsDemocrats

Since southerners Since southerners are are DemocratsDemocrats, all , all DemocratsDemocrats belong to belong to the party of the party of Rebellion Rebellion and and TreasonTreason

Phase 2:Phase 2:Congressional Congressional ReconstructionReconstruction

1866-18721866-1872

Congressional Congressional ReconstructionReconstruction

After election of 1866, Republicans After election of 1866, Republicans have a 2/3 majority in the House and have a 2/3 majority in the House and SenateSenate

Most Republicans join the RadicalsMost Republicans join the Radicals Feared strength of unified Democrats, Feared strength of unified Democrats,

especially since the South gained seats in especially since the South gained seats in CongressCongress

Led by Senator Charles Sumner of Led by Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts and Rep. Thaddeus Massachusetts and Rep. Thaddeus Stevens of PennsylvaniaStevens of Pennsylvania


The Radical ProgramThe Radical ProgramCivil Rights Act of 1866Civil Rights Act of 1866 Pronounces all African-Americans to be Pronounces all African-Americans to be

U.S. citizens, repudiating the Dred Scott U.S. citizens, repudiating the Dred Scott decision, shield against black codesdecision, shield against black codes

Fourteenth AmendmentFourteenth Amendment All people born/naturalized in U.S. are All people born/naturalized in U.S. are

citizenscitizens ““equal protection” of laws & “due equal protection” of laws & “due

process” need to be protected by the process” need to be protected by the statesstates


Joint Committee of June 1866Joint Committee of June 1866 Decide that the Confederates are not Decide that the Confederates are not

entitled to representation in Congressentitled to representation in Congress Determines that Congress, not the Determines that Congress, not the

president has the power to set the president has the power to set the conditions of readmitting a stateconditions of readmitting a state

All but renders Johnson’s powers All but renders Johnson’s powers uselessuseless


Reconstruction Acts of 1867Reconstruction Acts of 1867 Passed over Johnson’s vetoesPassed over Johnson’s vetoes Placed the South under military Placed the South under military

occupationoccupation Divides the former Confederacy into Divides the former Confederacy into

five military districts under the control five military districts under the control of the Union armyof the Union army

Added the condition of ratifying the Added the condition of ratifying the 1414thth Amendment as a readmission Amendment as a readmission requirementrequirement


Andrew Johnson’s ImpeachmentAndrew Johnson’s Impeachment 1867—Congress passes Tenure of Office 1867—Congress passes Tenure of Office

ActAct Prohibits the president form removing Prohibits the president form removing

federal officials or military commanders federal officials or military commanders without the Senate’s approvalwithout the Senate’s approval

Probably unconstitutionalProbably unconstitutional Designed to protect cabinet Radical Designed to protect cabinet Radical

RepublicansRepublicans Congress wanted to maintain the military Congress wanted to maintain the military

governments installed in the Southgovernments installed in the South


Johnson dismisses Edwin Stanton, Secretary of Johnson dismisses Edwin Stanton, Secretary of WarWar

House charges Johnson with 11 “high crimes House charges Johnson with 11 “high crimes and misdemeanors”and misdemeanors”

Impeaches, or indicts himImpeaches, or indicts him First president until to be impeachedFirst president until to be impeached

Nixon?Nixon? ClintonClinton

Senate falls one vote short of removing him Senate falls one vote short of removing him from officefrom office Needed 2/3 of SenateNeeded 2/3 of Senate Democrats and more moderate Republicans don’t Democrats and more moderate Republicans don’t

want to set precedent of removal for political reasonswant to set precedent of removal for political reasons


Fall 1868—Presidential electionFall 1868—Presidential election Democrats had nominated Horatio Democrats had nominated Horatio

SeymourSeymour Johnson’s out no matter whatJohnson’s out no matter what

Republicans nominate Ulysses S. Republicans nominate Ulysses S. GrantGrant War hero, but no political experienceWar hero, but no political experience

Very close election—would have lost Very close election—would have lost without black voteswithout black votes


Fifteenth Amendment (1869)Fifteenth Amendment (1869) Prohibits states from denying a Prohibits states from denying a

citizen’s right to vote on condition of citizen’s right to vote on condition of race, color, or previous condition of race, color, or previous condition of servitudeservitude

Civil Rights Act of 1875Civil Rights Act of 1875 Guaranteed equal accommodations in Guaranteed equal accommodations in

public places, including hotels, public places, including hotels, railroads, and theatersrailroads, and theaters

Poorly enforced, and largely ignoredPoorly enforced, and largely ignored

Reconstruction in the SouthReconstruction in the South

Military rule by the Union army until Military rule by the Union army until ready for readmissionready for readmission

Whites are the majority in all state Whites are the majority in all state legislatures except for lower house of legislatures except for lower house of South Carolina in 1873South Carolina in 1873

Most Republicans were native-born Most Republicans were native-born whites, freemen, and northern whites, freemen, and northern transplantstransplants


ScalawagsScalawags Conservative Democrat name for Southern Conservative Democrat name for Southern

RepublicansRepublicans CarpetbaggersCarpetbaggers

Northern newcomers who supported Northern newcomers who supported Republican policiesRepublican policies

Most southern white Republican Most southern white Republican interested in economic development for interested in economic development for their statetheir state

Northerners interested in new business, Northerners interested in new business, missionary work, teachers, and some missionary work, teachers, and some were just plain greedywere just plain greedy


African-American legislatorsAfrican-American legislators Most were educated property-holdersMost were educated property-holders ModeratesModerates Two black Senators and over a dozen Two black Senators and over a dozen

Representatives sent to CongressRepresentatives sent to Congress Hiram Revels takes Jefferson Davis’s Hiram Revels takes Jefferson Davis’s

Senate seat from MississippiSenate seat from Mississippi Causes bitter resentment among Causes bitter resentment among

disfranchised ex-Confederatesdisfranchised ex-Confederates

Reconstruction in the SouthReconstruction in the SouthThe Republican RecordThe Republican Record

Universal male Universal male suffragesuffrage

Property Rights for Property Rights for WomenWomen

Debt reliefDebt relief Modernized penal Modernized penal

codescodes Built roads, bridges, Built roads, bridges,

railroadsrailroads Hospitals, asylums, Hospitals, asylums,

public schools for allpublic schools for all Overhauled tax Overhauled tax

systems, issued bondssystems, issued bonds

Graft and wasteful Graft and wasteful spendingspending

Kickbacks and bribes Kickbacks and bribes from gov’t contractorsfrom gov’t contractors

Decline in gov’t ethicsDecline in gov’t ethics SharecroppingSharecropping

Economic picture didn’t Economic picture didn’t improve for blacksimprove for blacks

By 1880, less than 5% By 1880, less than 5% of southern blacks are of southern blacks are independent independent landownerslandowners

Reconstruction in the NorthReconstruction in the North

Idealism pushed aside, marked by Idealism pushed aside, marked by greed and corruption in politics and greed and corruption in politics and businessbusiness

Rise of spoilsmenRise of spoilsmen Give gov’t jobs and favors to supportersGive gov’t jobs and favors to supporters

Crédit Mobilier AffairCrédit Mobilier Affair Influential Congressmen given stock Influential Congressmen given stock

by insidersby insiders Hiding profits of up to 348% from Hiding profits of up to 348% from

gov’t subsidies for building the gov’t subsidies for building the transcontinental railroadtranscontinental railroad


Election of 1872Election of 1872 Republicans break apart due to Republicans break apart due to

scandals and corruption of Grant scandals and corruption of Grant AdministrationAdministration

Select Horace Greeley to run as Liberal Select Horace Greeley to run as Liberal RepublicanRepublican

Also nominated by DemocratsAlso nominated by Democrats ““Bloody Shirt” waved againBloody Shirt” waved again Grant wins in a landslideGrant wins in a landslide


Panic of 1873Panic of 1873 Overspeculation by financiers and Overspeculation by financiers and

overbuilding by industry and overbuilding by industry and railroadsrailroads

Debtors wanted more paper money Debtors wanted more paper money issued that wasn’t supported by goldissued that wasn’t supported by gold

In 1874, Grant sides with hard-In 1874, Grant sides with hard-money bankersmoney bankers

Phase 3Phase 3

End of ReconstructionEnd of Reconstruction

1872-18771872-1877

The End of ReconstructionThe End of Reconstruction

During Grant’s second term, Radical During Grant’s second term, Radical Republicanism decliningRepublicanism declining

Corruption, economic problems in the Corruption, economic problems in the north, waning interest in idealistic policiesnorth, waning interest in idealistic policies

Rise of the Rise of the redeemersredeemers Southern conservativesSouthern conservatives

Different social backgrounds, but all Different social backgrounds, but all wantedwanted States’ rights, lower taxesStates’ rights, lower taxes Reduced spending on social programsReduced spending on social programs White supremacyWhite supremacy

The End of ReconstructionThe End of Reconstruction During Republican rule, southern whites During Republican rule, southern whites

organized secret societies to intimidate organized secret societies to intimidate white reformers and blackswhite reformers and blacks

Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan Founded by an ex-Confederate General—Founded by an ex-Confederate General—

Nathaniel Bedford ForrestNathaniel Bedford Forrest ““Invisible Empire”Invisible Empire”

Burned black-owned buildingsBurned black-owned buildings Flogged, murdered freedmen to prevent votingFlogged, murdered freedmen to prevent voting

Congress passes Force Acts in 1870 Congress passes Force Acts in 1870 to stop the worst of the violenceto stop the worst of the violence Enforce 14Enforce 14thth and 15 and 15thth Amendments Amendments


Amnesty Act of 1872Amnesty Act of 1872 Removes restrictions on ex-Removes restrictions on ex-

Confederates, except the highest leadersConfederates, except the highest leaders

By 1876 Federal troops withdrawn from By 1876 Federal troops withdrawn from everywhere except Louisiana, Florida, everywhere except Louisiana, Florida, South CarolinaSouth Carolina

Democrats regain control of House of Democrats regain control of House of RepresentativesRepresentatives


Election of 1876Election of 1876 Republicans nominate Rutherford B. HayesRepublicans nominate Rutherford B. Hayes

Governor of OhioGovernor of Ohio Not involved with corruption of Grant Not involved with corruption of Grant

AdministrationAdministration Democrats nominate Samuel J. TildenDemocrats nominate Samuel J. Tilden

Governor of New YorkGovernor of New York Fought corruption of the Tweed RingFought corruption of the Tweed Ring

Votes contested in LA, FL, SCVotes contested in LA, FL, SC Tilden wins popular vote, needs only one Tilden wins popular vote, needs only one

electoralelectoral vote from one of the three states to vote from one of the three states to winwin


Special electoral commission created Special electoral commission created to decide who gets disputed votesto decide who gets disputed votes

Commission: 8 Republicans, 7 Commission: 8 Republicans, 7 DemocratsDemocrats

Votes 8-7 to give all electoral votes Votes 8-7 to give all electoral votes to Hayesto Hayes

Democrats threaten to filibuster the Democrats threaten to filibuster the results, send election to the Houseresults, send election to the House


Compromise of 1877Compromise of 1877 Deal worked out between the Deal worked out between the

partiesparties Hayes becomes President on two Hayes becomes President on two

conditions:conditions:(1)(1) Federal support for Republicans on Federal support for Republicans on

the south ended immediatelythe south ended immediately(2)(2) Support the building of a Southern Support the building of a Southern

transcontinental railroadtranscontinental railroad Hayes complies with conditions, Hayes complies with conditions,

agrees to only serve one termagrees to only serve one term


Reasons for the final failureReasons for the final failure End of federal military presenceEnd of federal military presence Throughout 1880s and 1890s, Supreme Throughout 1880s and 1890s, Supreme

Court strikes down anti-discrimination Court strikes down anti-discrimination lawslaws

New South supporters promised industrial New South supporters promised industrial development that never was realizeddevelopment that never was realized Most blacks and whites remain poor farmersMost blacks and whites remain poor farmers

South increasingly fell behind the rest of South increasingly fell behind the rest of the nationthe nation

reconstruction 1863-1877. phase 1: presidential reconstruction plans 1863-spring 1866

Documents

leading reconstruction

freed blacksprohibited

freed slaves

presidential pardons

retake power

intelligent freedmen

confederacy2 confederates

union republican partywas