ReconstructionReconstruction

January 26, 2009January 26, 2009

U.S. HistoryU.S. History

ReconstructionReconstruction

• Time period following the Civil War Time period following the Civil War (1865-1877); during which the (1865-1877); during which the United States began to rebuild.United States began to rebuild.

• Process the federal government used Process the federal government used to readmit the defeated Confederate to readmit the defeated Confederate states to the Union. states to the Union.

Freedmen’s Bureau Acts Freedmen’s Bureau Acts • 1865-661865-66• Legislation Passed the Legislation Passed the

Act in order to help Act in order to help freed slaves and war freed slaves and war refugees. refugees.

• Established hospitals, Established hospitals, schools, helped schools, helped negotiate labor contract, negotiate labor contract, and protect them from and protect them from former masters.former masters.

• The Howard School, founded The Howard School, founded in 1867 by African American in 1867 by African American Citizens of Fayetteville, NC.Citizens of Fayetteville, NC.

A Letter A Letter “To My Old Master”“To My Old Master”

• Wrote in 1865Wrote in 1865• To Master Colonel P.H. Anderson of To Master Colonel P.H. Anderson of

Big Spring, Tennessee.Big Spring, Tennessee.• Author former slave Jourdon Anderson.Author former slave Jourdon Anderson.

• Binder, Frederick M. and Reimers, David M. Binder, Frederick M. and Reimers, David M. The Way We Lived.The Way We Lived. “To “To My Old Master.” Page: 301-302. Houghton Mifflin Company, New My Old Master.” Page: 301-302. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York. 2004. York. 2004.

3 Plans for 3 Plans for ReconstructionReconstruction

• Lincoln, Johnson, and Members of Lincoln, Johnson, and Members of the Congress all had different ideas the Congress all had different ideas about how the Reconstruction about how the Reconstruction process should be handled. process should be handled.

Lincoln’s PlanLincoln’s Plan• Lenient Reconstruction Lenient Reconstruction

PolicyPolicy• December 1863 December 1863

announced Proclamation announced Proclamation of Amnesty and of Amnesty and Reconstruction, also Reconstruction, also known as Ten Percent known as Ten Percent PlanPlan

• Pardon Confederates who Pardon Confederates who would swear allegiance to would swear allegiance to the Union. When 10% of the Union. When 10% of those pardon who had those pardon who had voted in 1860 took the voted in 1860 took the oath than that state could oath than that state could send Representatives and send Representatives and Senators to Congress.Senators to Congress.

Lincoln’s Plan Cont.Lincoln’s Plan Cont.• Arkansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Louisiana,

Tennessee, and Virginia Tennessee, and Virginia moved toward moved toward readmission to the readmission to the Union. Union.

• Lincoln’s Plan angered Lincoln’s Plan angered the Radical Republicans.the Radical Republicans.

• Senator Charles Sumner Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts and of Massachusetts and Thaddeus Stevens of Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania. (Read Pennsylvania. (Read about Stevens on page about Stevens on page 193)193)

Radical RepublicansRadical Republicans

• Destroy the political power of former Destroy the political power of former slaveholders. Wanted AA to be given slaveholders. Wanted AA to be given full citizenship and right to vote.full citizenship and right to vote.

• July 1864 the Wade-Davis Bill was July 1864 the Wade-Davis Bill was passed by the Radicals.passed by the Radicals.

• Lincoln Vetoed the bill. Lincoln Vetoed the bill.

Johnson’s PlanJohnson’s Plan

• Lincoln was Lincoln was assassinated assassinated before he could before he could implement his plan implement his plan for Reconstruction.for Reconstruction.

• May 1865 Johnson, May 1865 Johnson, who was Lincoln’s who was Lincoln’s successor successor announced his plan announced his plan for Reconstruction. for Reconstruction.

Johnson’s Plan Cont.Johnson’s Plan Cont.

• Johnson’s plan called for those who were Johnson’s plan called for those who were high ranking officials and those who high ranking officials and those who committed crimes against POW’s would committed crimes against POW’s would not have to take the oath under the union not have to take the oath under the union and would still get voting privileges. and would still get voting privileges.

• ““white men alone must manage the white men alone must manage the South.”South.”

• Seven remaining ex-Confederate states Seven remaining ex-Confederate states agreed to Johnson’s plan.agreed to Johnson’s plan.

• Johnson’s plan upset the Radicals.Johnson’s plan upset the Radicals.

Johnson’s Plan Cont.Johnson’s Plan Cont.

• Congress refused to admit the new Congress refused to admit the new Southern Legislators.Southern Legislators.

• Feb. 1866 Congress voted to enlarge Feb. 1866 Congress voted to enlarge and continue the Freedmen’s Bureau.and continue the Freedmen’s Bureau.

• Congress passed Civil Rights Act of Congress passed Civil Rights Act of 1866.1866.

• Johnson vetoed both the Freedmen’s Johnson vetoed both the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Civil Rights Act.Bureau and the Civil Rights Act.

Congressional PlanCongressional Plan

• Radical and moderate Republicans begin to Radical and moderate Republicans begin to work together to stop Johnson’s plan and work together to stop Johnson’s plan and shift the control from the executive branch shift the control from the executive branch to the legislature.to the legislature.

• They overrode the vetoes in 1866.They overrode the vetoes in 1866.• Congress drafted the 14Congress drafted the 14thth Amendment. (Read Amendment. (Read

on page 193-194)on page 193-194)• Johnson advised the southern states to reject Johnson advised the southern states to reject

the amendment all but Tennessee rejected it. the amendment all but Tennessee rejected it. The amendment was not ratified until 1868. The amendment was not ratified until 1868.

Congressional Plan Cont.Congressional Plan Cont.

• 1866 Republicans gain control of 1866 Republicans gain control of Congress.Congress.

• Passed Reconstruction Act of 1867. This Passed Reconstruction Act of 1867. This stated that Congress did not recognize stated that Congress did not recognize state governments formed under Lincoln state governments formed under Lincoln and Johnson’s plan---except Tennessee and Johnson’s plan---except Tennessee who ratified the 14who ratified the 14thth amendment. amendment.

• Johnson vetoed the Reconstruction Johnson vetoed the Reconstruction legislation but Congress overrode the legislation but Congress overrode the veto.veto.

Kentucky in 1860 and Kentucky in 1860 and 18701870

• http://http://www.pbs.org/www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/reconstruction/states/states/sf_states_pop_ky.htsf_states_pop_ky.htmlmlAmericanAmerican Experience | Reco Experience | Reconstruction: The Senstruction: The Second Civil Warcond Civil War

Johnson ImpeachmentJohnson Impeachment• Radicals wanted Johnson out.Radicals wanted Johnson out.• Secretary of War Edwin Staton removed from Secretary of War Edwin Staton removed from

office.office.• Tenure of Office ActTenure of Office Act• House– 11charges of impeachment; 9 of which House– 11charges of impeachment; 9 of which

based on the violation of Tenure of Office Act.based on the violation of Tenure of Office Act.• March 1868March 1868• 11 weeks11 weeks• Not predictableNot predictable• Vote 35 to 19– one vote short of the 2/3Vote 35 to 19– one vote short of the 2/3rdrd

majority which was needed to convict Johnson.majority which was needed to convict Johnson.

Ulysses S. Grant Elected Ulysses S. Grant Elected

• Civil War HeroCivil War Hero• Won by 310,000 votesWon by 310,000 votes• 500,000 Southern AA voted, majority voted 500,000 Southern AA voted, majority voted

for Grant.for Grant.• ????? ????? Introduced 15 Introduced 15thth Amendment; ratified Amendment; ratified

by the states in by the states in ????????????• Republican dominated governmentsRepublican dominated governments• 1870 Confederate states complete the 1870 Confederate states complete the

process to be back in the Union. process to be back in the Union. Reconstruction did NOT end.Reconstruction did NOT end.

Conditions in Post-War Conditions in Post-War SouthSouth

• Economic StruggleEconomic Struggle• Property plummeted in value. Many Property plummeted in value. Many

small farms ruined.small farms ruined.• Confederate BoundsConfederate Bounds• Population devastatedPopulation devastated

1/51/5thth of adult white males died in of adult white males died in the warthe war

Ten of thousands Southern AA also Ten of thousands Southern AA also died.died.

Conditions in Post-War Conditions in Post-War SouthSouth

• Public work programs—repair Public work programs—repair physical damage and provide social physical damage and provide social services.services.

• Economic problems were most Economic problems were most difficult to change. Southern difficult to change. Southern governments raised taxes!governments raised taxes!

Politics in the Post-War Politics in the Post-War SouthSouth

• 3 groups in South make up the 3 groups in South make up the Republican Party—scalawags, Republican Party—scalawags, carpetbaggers, and African carpetbaggers, and African Americans.Americans.

• ScalawagsScalawags• CarpetbaggersCarpetbaggers• African Americans—voting rights African Americans—voting rights

– 8 out of 10 support the Republican party.8 out of 10 support the Republican party.

Politics in the Post-War Politics in the Post-War SouthSouth

• Look on page 195 at the Political Look on page 195 at the Political cartooncartoon

• Lack of unity in the Republican partyLack of unity in the Republican party• Republican governors start to Republican governors start to

appoint white Democrats to office.appoint white Democrats to office.• White Southerners refuse to accept White Southerners refuse to accept

blacks’ new status.blacks’ new status.

Former Slaves Improve Former Slaves Improve their Livestheir Lives

• What were slaves to do?What were slaves to do?– No land, no jobs, no tools, no money, No land, no jobs, no tools, no money,

and little skills besides farming.and little skills besides farming.

How would former slaves get food, How would former slaves get food, clothing, and were would they live?clothing, and were would they live?

Southern cities populations doubled due Southern cities populations doubled due to slaves migrating to the cities to find to slaves migrating to the cities to find jobs.jobs.

Former Slaves Improve Former Slaves Improve their Livestheir Lives

• Many AA wanted an education and Many AA wanted an education and due to the Freedmen’s Bureau Act due to the Freedmen’s Bureau Act they could receive an education.they could receive an education.

• AA founded their own churches.AA founded their own churches.

Blacks in ReconstructionBlacks in Reconstruction

• VotedVoted• Held office in local, Held office in local,

state, and federal state, and federal governments.governments.

• Out of 125 Out of 125 southerners elected southerners elected to Congress 16 to Congress 16 were AA. –Hiram were AA. –Hiram Revels was the 1Revels was the 1stst AA to be Senator.AA to be Senator.

Blacks in ReconstructionBlacks in Reconstruction

• 1871 Texas passed a law prohibiting 1871 Texas passed a law prohibiting railroads from making distinctions railroads from making distinctions between groups of passengers.between groups of passengers.

• Many of these laws were not Many of these laws were not enforced.enforced.

• PropertyProperty

40 Acres and A Mule40 Acres and A Mule

• 1865 General 1865 General Sherman promised Sherman promised former slaves who former slaves who followed his army, followed his army, 40 acres per family 40 acres per family and the use of army and the use of army mules.mules.

• 40,000 freed slaves 40,000 freed slaves settled on 400,000 settled on 400,000 acres in Georgia and acres in Georgia and South Carolina.South Carolina.

40 Acres and A Mule40 Acres and A Mule• Forty Acres and a MuleForty Acres and a Mule• As Union soldiers advanced through the South, tens of As Union soldiers advanced through the South, tens of

thousands of freed slaves left their plantations to thousands of freed slaves left their plantations to follow Union general William Tecumseh Sherman's follow Union general William Tecumseh Sherman's army.army.

• To solve problems caused by the mass of refugees, To solve problems caused by the mass of refugees, Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 15, a Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 15, a temporary plan granting each freed family forty acres temporary plan granting each freed family forty acres of tillable land on islands and the coast of Georgia. of tillable land on islands and the coast of Georgia. The army had a number of unneeded mules which The army had a number of unneeded mules which were also granted to settlers.were also granted to settlers.

• News of "forty acres and a mule" spread quickly; freed News of "forty acres and a mule" spread quickly; freed slaves welcomed it as proof that emancipation would slaves welcomed it as proof that emancipation would finally give them a stake in the land they had worked finally give them a stake in the land they had worked as slaves for so long.as slaves for so long.

• The orders were in effect for only one year.The orders were in effect for only one year.

40 Acres and A Mule40 Acres and A Mule• In the Field, Savannah, Georgia, January 16th, 1865.In the Field, Savannah, Georgia, January 16th, 1865.• Special Field Orders, No. 15.Special Field Orders, No. 15.• I. The islands from Charleston, south, the I. The islands from Charleston, south, the

abandoned rice fields along the rivers for thirty abandoned rice fields along the rivers for thirty miles back from the sea, and the country bordering miles back from the sea, and the country bordering the St. Johns river, Florida, are reserved and set the St. Johns river, Florida, are reserved and set apart for the settlement of the negroes now made apart for the settlement of the negroes now made free by the acts of war and the proclamation of the free by the acts of war and the proclamation of the President of the United States.President of the United States.

• In August of 1865 Johnson ordered that original In August of 1865 Johnson ordered that original landowners reclaim their land.landowners reclaim their land.

• Thaddeus Stevens believed former slaves deserved Thaddeus Stevens believed former slaves deserved part of that land. His plan failed. part of that land. His plan failed.

Restoration of Restoration of PlantationsPlantations

• Planter class wanted to restore the Planter class wanted to restore the plantation system.plantation system.

• Planters wanted almost complete Planters wanted almost complete control over their laborers.control over their laborers.

• Many AA refused to work in the Many AA refused to work in the fields.fields.

• White planters did not want former White planters did not want former slaves acquiring their own land.slaves acquiring their own land.

Sharecropping and Tenant Sharecropping and Tenant FarmingFarming

• Many former slaves were Many former slaves were economically forced to become economically forced to become sharecroppers.sharecroppers.

• SharecroppingSharecropping• Tenant FarmingTenant Farming• Sharecropping contract Sharecropping contract • Sharecropping and Tenant FarmingSharecropping and Tenant Farming

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Collapse of Collapse of ReconstructionReconstruction

• Some whites refused to register to vote.Some whites refused to register to vote.• Whites formed violent groups to intimidate Whites formed violent groups to intimidate

AA.AA.• Ku Klux Klan –most notorious and Ku Klux Klan –most notorious and

widespread. The groups goals were to widespread. The groups goals were to destroy the Republican party ,throw out the destroy the Republican party ,throw out the Reconstruction governments, to aid the Reconstruction governments, to aid the planter class, and to prevent AA from planter class, and to prevent AA from exercising their political rights.exercising their political rights.

• Killed several thousand men, women, and Killed several thousand men, women, and children. Some were whites who wanted to children. Some were whites who wanted to help AA but the majority were AA.help AA but the majority were AA.

Collapse of Collapse of Reconstruction Reconstruction

• Congress passed a series of Congress passed a series of Enforcement Acts in 1870 and 1871.Enforcement Acts in 1870 and 1871.

• May 1872 Congress passed the May 1872 Congress passed the Amnesty Act.Amnesty Act.

• Freedmen’s Bureau Act expiresFreedmen’s Bureau Act expires• Southern Democrats regain political Southern Democrats regain political

power.power.

Scandals and Money Crises Scandals and Money Crises Hurts RepublicansHurts Republicans

• Scandals in North takes attention Scandals in North takes attention away from the South.away from the South.

• Grant, who was elected to a second Grant, who was elected to a second term in 1872, was never found guilty term in 1872, was never found guilty of wrong doings.of wrong doings.

• Grants appointees were dishonestGrants appointees were dishonest• Scandals involved Grants vice-Scandals involved Grants vice-

president, private secretary, and president, private secretary, and secretary of war.secretary of war.

Scandals and Money Crises Scandals and Money Crises Hurts RepublicansHurts Republicans

• Bank failures—Panic of 1873Bank failures—Panic of 1873• Five Year DepressionFive Year Depression• Dispute of CurrencyDispute of Currency• Currency from paper back to goldCurrency from paper back to gold• Economy improves in 1879Economy improves in 1879

Democrats “Redeem” the Democrats “Redeem” the SouthSouth

• ““Redemption” –what the Democrats Redemption” –what the Democrats called their return to power.called their return to power.

• Election of 1876 between Rutherfod Election of 1876 between Rutherfod B. Hayes (Rep.) and Samuel J. Tilden B. Hayes (Rep.) and Samuel J. Tilden (Dem.).(Dem.).

• Gov. Samuel J. Tilden won the popular Gov. Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote but didn’t carry the electoral vote but didn’t carry the electoral votes. votes.

• The commission gave Hayes the win.The commission gave Hayes the win.

Democrats “Redeem” the Democrats “Redeem” the SouthSouth

• Republicans struck a deal with Republicans struck a deal with Southern Democrats not to delay the Southern Democrats not to delay the approval of Hayes.approval of Hayes.

• COMPROMISE OF 1877COMPROMISE OF 1877In the deal Southern Democrats got the In the deal Southern Democrats got the

removal of federal troops in Louisiana and removal of federal troops in Louisiana and South Carolina. Hayes was then peacefully South Carolina. Hayes was then peacefully inaugurated. This compromise meant the inaugurated. This compromise meant the END of Reconstruction in the South.END of Reconstruction in the South.

The End of The End of ReconstructionReconstruction

• Congress didn’t protect the rights of AA.Congress didn’t protect the rights of AA.• 1313thth, 14, 14thth, and 15, and 15thth Amendments help lie Amendments help lie

the foundation to the 20the foundation to the 20thth century civil century civil rights legislation.rights legislation.

• AA—in reconstruction voted, held AA—in reconstruction voted, held political office, and made important political office, and made important achievements.achievements.

• Most white Americans put Reconstruction Most white Americans put Reconstruction behind them and turned their attention to behind them and turned their attention to the expansion on the western frontier.the expansion on the western frontier.