ReconstructionReconstructioncontd..contd..

President Johnson – though powerless to overcome President Johnson – though powerless to overcome the Reconstructionists two thirds majority - continued the Reconstructionists two thirds majority - continued to show his hostility by threatening to fire his Sec. of to show his hostility by threatening to fire his Sec. of War, Edwin Stanton, who supported Republican War, Edwin Stanton, who supported Republican Reconstruction (served as their “spy and informer”)Reconstruction (served as their “spy and informer”)

In response Congress passed the In response Congress passed the Tenure of Office Tenure of Office ActAct: the President could not dismiss members of his : the President could not dismiss members of his Cabinet without Senate approvalCabinet without Senate approval

Congress also passed the Congress also passed the Command of the Army ActCommand of the Army Act to to prevent Johnson moving troops from the South: he could prevent Johnson moving troops from the South: he could not issue orders directly to the army: he had to do so not issue orders directly to the army: he had to do so through Gen. Grant (who could not be dismissed under the through Gen. Grant (who could not be dismissed under the Act) who was supportive of the RadicalsAct) who was supportive of the Radicals

Johnson defied the Johnson defied the Tenure of Office ActTenure of Office Act by suspending by suspending and then dismissing Stanton. The House then voted to and then dismissing Stanton. The House then voted to impeach him (126-47) for “high crimes and misdemeanors”impeach him (126-47) for “high crimes and misdemeanors”

But the Senate was one vote short of the necessary two-But the Senate was one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority (35-19) so Johnson survived, but was much thirds majority (35-19) so Johnson survived, but was much diminished and afterwards was no longer a factordiminished and afterwards was no longer a factor

But the intimidation factor was a success – Johnson had But the intimidation factor was a success – Johnson had indicated through his attorney that he would stop indicated through his attorney that he would stop obstructing Republican policies in return for remaining obstructing Republican policies in return for remaining in officein office

Country had avoided a dangerous precedent; checks and Country had avoided a dangerous precedent; checks and balances had been maintained – he was “guilty of bad balances had been maintained – he was “guilty of bad speeches, bad judgment, bad temper but not of high speeches, bad judgment, bad temper but not of high crimes and misdemeanors”crimes and misdemeanors”

The Supreme Court, under The Supreme Court, under Salmon P. ChaseSalmon P. Chase, had, in a , had, in a decision, decision, Ex Parte MilliganEx Parte Milligan, declared Military , declared Military Tribunals unconstitutional in places where Civilian Tribunals unconstitutional in places where Civilian Courts existedCourts existed

In response the Republicans proposed legislation that In response the Republicans proposed legislation that would require would require Two thirds decision by Supreme Ct in futureTwo thirds decision by Supreme Ct in future Reduce justices to threeReduce justices to three To deny Ct. jurisdiction in the SouthTo deny Ct. jurisdiction in the South Discussed abolishing the CourtDiscussed abolishing the Court

This was enough to intimidate the Supreme Court into This was enough to intimidate the Supreme Court into staying out of Reconstruction issues and so the staying out of Reconstruction issues and so the Republicans didn’t have to pursue the BillRepublicans didn’t have to pursue the Bill

The Supreme Court and Pres. Johnson had been The Supreme Court and Pres. Johnson had been silenced / marginalized, making it easier for the silenced / marginalized, making it easier for the Republicans to pursue their planRepublicans to pursue their plan

Reconstructed State GovernmentsReconstructed State Governments

Very unique in their compositionVery unique in their composition

A quarter of the white population was at first excluded A quarter of the white population was at first excluded from voting and holding office (had not taken Oath or from voting and holding office (had not taken Oath or excluded by 14excluded by 14thth Amendment). Many opponents of Amendment). Many opponents of Reconstruction choose to not vote or run for officeReconstruction choose to not vote or run for office

White Southerners who supported Reconstruction ran White Southerners who supported Reconstruction ran for office: Republicans, moderate Democrats, Whigs..for office: Republicans, moderate Democrats, Whigs..

Northern Republicans traveled South and ran for officeNorthern Republicans traveled South and ran for office

Given the right to vote, Southern black men seized the Given the right to vote, Southern black men seized the initiative and began to organize politically – their primary initiative and began to organize politically – their primary vehicle became the Union League ; assisted by northern vehicle became the Union League ; assisted by northern black, they turned the League into a network of political black, they turned the League into a network of political clubs that educated members in their civic duties and clubs that educated members in their civic duties and campaigned for Republican candidatescampaigned for Republican candidates

Freedom Conventions were held to outline the goals of Freedom Conventions were held to outline the goals of Freedmen and choose their own candidates for office (most Freedmen and choose their own candidates for office (most joined Republican Party)joined Republican Party)

Gave rise to the first black political participation in the Gave rise to the first black political participation in the South – black delegates were elected to the State South – black delegates were elected to the State Constitutional conventions to write the new ConstitutionsConstitutional conventions to write the new Constitutions

Southern Representatives consisted of Southern Whites Southern Representatives consisted of Southern Whites (moderate Democrats, Whigs, Republicans), Freedmen (moderate Democrats, Whigs, Republicans), Freedmen (revolutionary; first ever opportunity to vote and hold (revolutionary; first ever opportunity to vote and hold office), and Northern Republicansoffice), and Northern Republicans

Between 1868-1876, 14 black congressmen and 2 black Between 1868-1876, 14 black congressmen and 2 black senators, Revels and Bruce, both of Mississippi, served in senators, Revels and Bruce, both of Mississippi, served in D.C….blacks also served in state governments as D.C….blacks also served in state governments as representatives, lieutenant governors, mayors, representatives, lieutenant governors, mayors, magistrates, sheriffs, and justices of the peacemagistrates, sheriffs, and justices of the peace

Southern Opponents (Democrats) condemned these Southern Opponents (Democrats) condemned these legislators / legislatures: furious that their former slaves legislators / legislatures: furious that their former slaves and their white allies held office: to themand their white allies held office: to them

labeled Northerners who travelled South to help as labeled Northerners who travelled South to help as “Carpetbaggers” - sleazy manipulator, who packed all their “Carpetbaggers” - sleazy manipulator, who packed all their worldly goods into a cheap suitcase and came South to seek worldly goods into a cheap suitcase and came South to seek personal power and gain – but most were Union soldiers, personal power and gain – but most were Union soldiers, Northern businessmen, and professionals who wanted to help Northern businessmen, and professionals who wanted to help outout

Labeled white Southerners who participated in the new Labeled white Southerners who participated in the new governments as “Scalawags” - treasonous, who plundered the governments as “Scalawags” - treasonous, who plundered the treasuries of the South through their political influencetreasuries of the South through their political influence

And they argued that the legislatures engaged inAnd they argued that the legislatures engaged in vindictive, vengeful “Negro Rule” because they were vindictive, vengeful “Negro Rule” because they were

dominated by formers slavesdominated by formers slaves

Historians argue that the charge of “Negro Rule” is not Historians argue that the charge of “Negro Rule” is not justified becausejustified because

In only one state (Mississippi) and for only a two year In only one state (Mississippi) and for only a two year period were Freedmen in a majority in the Legislatureperiod were Freedmen in a majority in the Legislature

In all other states they were in a minority and the In all other states they were in a minority and the number of black representatives was not in proportion number of black representatives was not in proportion to the black populationto the black population

Not a single Southern Governor was blackNot a single Southern Governor was black Of the Southern representatives sent to the Federal Of the Southern representatives sent to the Federal

Govt., only 14 of the Rep’s and only 2 Senators were Govt., only 14 of the Rep’s and only 2 Senators were African AmericanAfrican American

Southern opponents also charged that the Legislatures Southern opponents also charged that the Legislatures were inexperienced, incompetent, extravagant, and were inexperienced, incompetent, extravagant, and corruptcorrupt

Sure there were elements of all of these things but for Sure there were elements of all of these things but for the most part the representatives were well meaning, the most part the representatives were well meaning, sincere and efficient, and the legislatures achieved a sincere and efficient, and the legislatures achieved a lot considering the circumstanceslot considering the circumstances

Incompetence, extravagance, and corruption were to Incompetence, extravagance, and corruption were to be found just as much in the North at this time, and in be found just as much in the North at this time, and in the South before the Civil War, and after Redemption the South before the Civil War, and after Redemption

Achievements of Southern Reconstructed Governments, Achievements of Southern Reconstructed Governments, from 1866-1876from 1866-1876

Physical reconstruction: many engineering and Physical reconstruction: many engineering and rebuilding projects successfully undertakenrebuilding projects successfully undertaken

Integration of Freedmen in the political process Integration of Freedmen in the political process Guaranteed their political rights, 15Guaranteed their political rights, 15 thth Amendment Amendment implemented, Democracy was expanded implemented, Democracy was expanded (Revolution)(Revolution)

Application of the 14Application of the 14thth Amendment, Civil Rights Amendment, Civil Rights extended to Freedmen, integration in society, extended to Freedmen, integration in society, especially Equality of Opportunity and integration in especially Equality of Opportunity and integration in EducationEducation

Passed much needed reform legislationPassed much needed reform legislation Set up adequate public schoolsSet up adequate public schools Streamlined the tax systemStreamlined the tax system Launched public worksLaunched public works Property rights were guaranteed to womenProperty rights were guaranteed to women

But there was also corruption (graft, scams), esp. in But there was also corruption (graft, scams), esp. in Louisiana and S. Carolina, but this was no worse than in Louisiana and S. Carolina, but this was no worse than in Northern states during this periodNorthern states during this period

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction? 1. Grant Presidency and “Grantism” / Scandals1. Grant Presidency and “Grantism” / Scandals

Considered a “dull and unimaginative” President: “a Considered a “dull and unimaginative” President: “a great soldier but an utterly inept politician”great soldier but an utterly inept politician”

Not committed to Reconstruction, not idealistic like the Not committed to Reconstruction, not idealistic like the RadicalsRadicals

His cabinet was a “rodent’s His cabinet was a “rodent’s

nest of grafters and incompetents”nest of grafters and incompetents” Scandals became a distraction,Scandals became a distraction,

sidetracking North from events sidetracking North from events

in the Southin the South

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction?

Credit Mobilier ScandalCredit Mobilier Scandal (Union Pacific Railroad (Union Pacific Railroad subcontracted work to a company it owned at inflated subcontracted work to a company it owned at inflated prices to build the Transcontinental RR; gave stock to prices to build the Transcontinental RR; gave stock to Congressmen and money to the vice president to buy Congressmen and money to the vice president to buy their silence)their silence)

Whiskey RingWhiskey Ring (govt. officials, inc. Grant’s private (govt. officials, inc. Grant’s private secretary and distillers engaged in tax evasion / bribes)secretary and distillers engaged in tax evasion / bribes)

Belknap ScandalBelknap Scandal (Sec of War took bribes from Indian (Sec of War took bribes from Indian trading store owners / suppliers)trading store owners / suppliers)

Fish and GouldFish and Gould (conspired with govt. officials: gov (conspired with govt. officials: gov would not sell, they would corner the market, and then would not sell, they would corner the market, and then sell off at huge profits)sell off at huge profits)

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction? 2. Split in Republican Party and change in 2. Split in Republican Party and change in

identity identity

A powerful wave of disgust with Grantism began to build A powerful wave of disgust with Grantism began to build upup

Frustrated with the Scandals, patronage…a new party, the Frustrated with the Scandals, patronage…a new party, the Liberal Republican Party was formed (supported also by Liberal Republican Party was formed (supported also by Democrats in the Presidential election of 1872)Democrats in the Presidential election of 1872)

Grant still won – but the Republicans and the Nth became Grant still won – but the Republicans and the Nth became sidetracked and distracted from events in the Southsidetracked and distracted from events in the South

Radical Republicans, Stevens, Sumner, retired or died Radical Republicans, Stevens, Sumner, retired or died – the new generation of Republicans were business – the new generation of Republicans were business minded not high minded. The Party became the ally minded not high minded. The Party became the ally of Big Business (in 1880s appropriated a billion of Big Business (in 1880s appropriated a billion dollars – “billion dollar Congress”, increased Tariff dollars – “billion dollar Congress”, increased Tariff rate to 48.4% in McKinley Tariff…….. rate to 48.4% in McKinley Tariff……..

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction?

3. Panic of 1873 / Economic Crisis3. Panic of 1873 / Economic Crisis

Caused by over speculation in industry, too many Caused by over speculation in industry, too many bank loans – inability to pay back loansbank loans – inability to pay back loans

Led to 15,000 bankruptcies…. widespread Led to 15,000 bankruptcies…. widespread unemployment: Nth became sidetracked and unemployment: Nth became sidetracked and distracted from events in the Southdistracted from events in the South

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction?

4. Amnesty Act of 18724. Amnesty Act of 1872

Restored full political rights to all almost all Restored full political rights to all almost all Southerners (except for a small group of 500); now Southerners (except for a small group of 500); now opponents of Reconstruction, Confederate leaders etc opponents of Reconstruction, Confederate leaders etc could vote again and run for officecould vote again and run for office

More Democrats were elected to as representatives at More Democrats were elected to as representatives at state and federal levels state and federal levels

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction?

5. 5. Emergence of White Supremacist MovementsEmergence of White Supremacist Movements

KKK, Knights of White Camilla, Pale Faces, etc. goals KKK, Knights of White Camilla, Pale Faces, etc. goals was to intimidate (flogging, mutilating, murdering / was to intimidate (flogging, mutilating, murdering / lynching) Freedmen from voting, running for lynching) Freedmen from voting, running for office….deny them their 14office….deny them their 14thth and 15 and 15thth Amend rights Amend rights

Congress passed the Force Acts in 1870 and 1871, Congress passed the Force Acts in 1870 and 1871, authorizing military action against them, but they were authorizing military action against them, but they were ineffective…too little too late.. difficult to identify KKK ineffective…too little too late.. difficult to identify KKK or stamp out their activities …or stamp out their activities …

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction? 6. Democrats re-Unite and regain control6. Democrats re-Unite and regain control

1874: regained majority in Congress; northern and 1874: regained majority in Congress; northern and southern elements of the Party re-unitessouthern elements of the Party re-unites

Because of Amnesty Act and activities of KKK, Because of Amnesty Act and activities of KKK, Democrats regain control of Southern Legislatures… all Democrats regain control of Southern Legislatures… all were “Redeemed” (Redemption) by 1876were “Redeemed” (Redemption) by 1876

Passed the “Jim Crow” laws, state-level legal codes of Passed the “Jim Crow” laws, state-level legal codes of segregation - ruled constitutional, valid in segregation - ruled constitutional, valid in Plessey v Plessey v Ferguson (1896) Ferguson (1896) which ruled that “separate but equal” which ruled that “separate but equal” facilities (schools, railroad cars, restrooms, theatres) were facilities (schools, railroad cars, restrooms, theatres) were constitutional under the “equal protection” clause of the constitutional under the “equal protection” clause of the 1414thth Amendment Amendment

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction? 7. Hayes – Tilden Compromise (Deal / Sell-Out / 7. Hayes – Tilden Compromise (Deal / Sell-Out /

Abandonment), 1877Abandonment), 1877

Pres election of 1877: disputed votes: Democrat Tilden Pres election of 1877: disputed votes: Democrat Tilden (only needed one of the 20 disputed electoral votes) stepped (only needed one of the 20 disputed electoral votes) stepped aside and allowed Rep. Hayes (the “Great Unknown”) to aside and allowed Rep. Hayes (the “Great Unknown”) to become president on condition that he withdraw all become president on condition that he withdraw all remaining federal troops from the 2 Southern states where remaining federal troops from the 2 Southern states where they still remained, Louisiana and South Carolinathey still remained, Louisiana and South Carolina

No more federal govt. protection for Freedmen, from denial No more federal govt. protection for Freedmen, from denial of 14of 14thth , 15 , 15thth rights, terror of KKK: signaled the end of rights, terror of KKK: signaled the end of Reconstruction: the Compromise sacrificed black freedom Reconstruction: the Compromise sacrificed black freedom in the South: With the deal, the Republican party abandoned in the South: With the deal, the Republican party abandoned its commitment to racial equality- the last two remaining its commitment to racial equality- the last two remaining Reconstructed gov’s then collapsed Reconstructed gov’s then collapsed

Collapse of Reconstruction?Collapse of Reconstruction? 8. Changes had not been deep enough8. Changes had not been deep enough – which – which

meant only fleeting freedom: to make the blacks meant only fleeting freedom: to make the blacks completely independent citizens, a more drastic series of completely independent citizens, a more drastic series of economic reforms and stronger federal protection for economic reforms and stronger federal protection for their political rights…their political rights…

But there were too many formidable obstacles to But there were too many formidable obstacles to overcome the good intentions of Republicans overcome the good intentions of Republicans deep seated racism, deep seated racism, concerns about tampering with property rights, and concerns about tampering with property rights, and belief in the principle of local self government belief in the principle of local self government indifference in the North to the plight of the blacks indifference in the North to the plight of the blacks

Was Reconstruction a Success or Was Reconstruction a Success or Failure?Failure?

After Redemption, Freedmen were denied 14After Redemption, Freedmen were denied 14 thth and 15 and 15thth Amendment rightsAmendment rights

Denied equality, right to vote and run for office….by Denied equality, right to vote and run for office….by KKK but also by Redeemed, Democratic Sth. KKK but also by Redeemed, Democratic Sth. LegislaturesLegislatures

Faced Segregation (education, living) through the Jim Faced Segregation (education, living) through the Jim Crowe Laws…and DiscriminationCrowe Laws…and Discrimination

Was Reconstruction a Success or Was Reconstruction a Success or Failure?Failure?

Social, economic opportunities denied….majority Social, economic opportunities denied….majority became Sharecroppers…back on Cotton Plantations, became Sharecroppers…back on Cotton Plantations, living as virtual slaves again…lost 40 acres they got living as virtual slaves again…lost 40 acres they got from Freedman’s Bureaufrom Freedman’s Bureau

Denied right to vote throughDenied right to vote through Poll TaxPoll Tax Grandfather ClauseGrandfather Clause Literacy Test (see sample)Literacy Test (see sample)

Was Reconstruction a Success or Was Reconstruction a Success or Failure?Failure?

Fed. Govt. / Congress / Supreme Court supported Fed. Govt. / Congress / Supreme Court supported Segregation, Discrimination: Segregation, Discrimination: Plessey v FergusonPlessey v Ferguson decision: separate facilities were acceptable if they decision: separate facilities were acceptable if they were equal (but they were never equal)were equal (but they were never equal)

Freedmen who migrated North also experienced Freedmen who migrated North also experienced Segregation, Discrimination, Prejudice…(Segregation, Discrimination, Prejudice…(de jurede jure in in the South, the South, de factode facto in the North) in the North)

Was Reconstruction a Success or Was Reconstruction a Success or Failure?Failure?

But, at least Slavery was ended But, at least Slavery was ended Slave families were re-united, marriages were legally Slave families were re-united, marriages were legally

recognized, joined Churches (Baptist, Methodist) some recognized, joined Churches (Baptist, Methodist) some Freedmen obtained land, they migrated to cities, to the Freedmen obtained land, they migrated to cities, to the North, to the West, became educated…North, to the West, became educated…

For 10 years they had participated in society as full For 10 years they had participated in society as full citizens….a revolutionary experimentcitizens….a revolutionary experiment

And the 14And the 14thth and 15 and 15thth Amendments were still there, Amendments were still there, thought ignored, for future African American leaders thought ignored, for future African American leaders to demand that they be implemented….Randolph, to demand that they be implemented….Randolph, M.L. King…in the 1950s, 60s….and later Presidents – M.L. King…in the 1950s, 60s….and later Presidents – FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson to recognize and FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson to recognize and applyapply

Was Reconstruction a Success or Was Reconstruction a Success or Failure?Failure?

Reconstruction was a Reconstruction was a

Short term success: 10 yrs, 1866-1876Short term success: 10 yrs, 1866-1876 Failure from 1876 to 1950s / 1960sFailure from 1876 to 1950s / 1960s Long term success…..14Long term success…..14thth and 15 and 15thth Amendments Amendments

would be applied again after success of Civil would be applied again after success of Civil Rights Movement (Second Reconstruction)Rights Movement (Second Reconstruction)