THE END OF THE WAR & RECONSTRUCTION

Chapter 11-121. How did the Various reconstruction plans succeed or fail? 2. What was the overall effect of the War on the American

People?

13th Amendment

As the War began to look dismal for the Confederates they met with Lincoln to discuss peace negotiations

The discussions broke down because Congress with the Support of Lincoln proposed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution Slavery would be abolished in the United States

The South refused to accept a future without slavery

The Amendment was passed in December of 1865

Lee’s Surrender In March of 1865 Grant

laid siege to Petersburg Starving them of supplies

and reinforcements Lee ordered a retreat of

Petersburg in Late March and headed North to meet troops in North Carolina

After struggling with Union forces Lee Surrendered on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House

Lincoln’s Assassination

April 14, 1865 Lincoln was shot while attending a play at Ford Theater

John Wilkes Booth shot him in order to give the South time to regroup and carry on the war effort

Booth was shot and killed during the manhunt for him

4 others were captured and hanged for their part in the plan

Lasting Impact

600,000 Americans died Economic boom continued in the North Land Grant College Act provided money to

build universities to instruct people in agriculture and mechanical arts

The South was slow to recover following the devastation its cities and railroads took

National Government gained more control over states

People began to see themselves as part of a nation not just a state.

Reunifying the Nation

Prior to his assassination Lincoln wanted the Union to be reunited

10% Plan 10% of states registered voters had to swear

allegiance to the Union State would set up a new government State’s constitution had to abolish slavery & provide

education to African Americans State would regain representation in Congress

Lincoln was also willing to grant pardons to Confederates and compensate them for lost property

Opposition

Radical Republicans thought Lincoln was too soft on the Confederates

They advocated full rights and voting privileges to freedman

Wanted to take Confederate lands and give them to freedman

Opposed the 10% plan and passed the Wade Davis Bill Required majority of voters to swear loyalty to union Required guarantee of black equality

Lincoln Vetoed the bill

Freedman’s Bureau

A few weeks before Lincoln’s Death he created the Freedman’s Bureau Designed to reunite families that had

been separated by slavery and war Negotiated fair labor contracts between

former slaves and white land owners Represented African Americans in the

courts

Johnson’s Plan

Required all states to ratify 13th amendment Offered pardons to any confederate that

personally wrote to him and swore allegiance to the Union

Johnson had no sympathy for African American’s despite his requirement for the ratification of the 13th amendment He supported States rights Due to this Black Codes were introduced in the

South Laws that limited the rights of African Americans

Legislature vs. Executive

Congress was angry that the South introduced black codes and continued in prewar activities Refused them their seats upon arrival to

Congress Passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866

Created federal guarantees of civil rights for African Americans in the South

Johnson vetoed this measure For the first time Ever Congress overrode the

veto and passed the Civil Rights Act

Congress Plan

Fourteenth Amendment- Guaranteed equality under the law for all citizens despite race

Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 Divided the Southern States that had not

been readmitted into military districts Governed by Union Generals Directed how the states would create

their new governments and gain re-entry to the union

Johnson’s Impeachment

Congress had passed the Tenure of Office Act which forced the President to gain Senate approval to fire officials from office

Johnson tried to fire the Secretary of War without permission

Congress filed charges of impeachment Failed to impeach Johnson But showed the checks

and balances did work

15th Amendment

Following the Election of 1868 Republican Leaders felt that by securing the African American vote they would be able to remain in power

In 1869 they passed the 15th Amendment Forbid any state from denying

suffrage on the grounds of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Ratified with the 14th amendment in 1870

African American Power Following the War some African American’s earned

positions of power Sheriffs, School superintendents, mayors, senators, and

congressmen These men ushered in the Republican party to the south Welcomed men otherwise not welcome in politics prior to

the civil war

Carpetbaggers

Northerners came to the devastated south seeking to build fortunes

They would buy large plots of land and begin farming the land for cotton

Often would invest in industry or railroad construction

Many carpetbaggers would gain political importance as well

Often were resented by southerners

Freedmen Communities

African Americans could for the first time celebrate and legalize marriage

Developed churches, schools, and social communities

Discrimination often limited them to certain areas of cities and jobs

Schools were also segregated in the south leading to literacy problems due to the cost of developing 2 school systems

Southern Economy

Remained agrarian based Many southerners choose one of the 3

Sharecropping Land owner picked a crop, provided seeds and tools

and allowed farmer to live on his land as long as he got a portion of the crop

Share-tenancy Famer picked his own crop and bought his own tools Had more control over his crops

Tenant farming Farmer paid rent to land owner Only useful to those with money management skills

Ku Klux Klan

Many White southerners were disgruntled at the success African Americans were having once they were free

Many formed groups set on terrorizing Africans into subservient roles

Rode in white robes through towns and woods burning churches and schools

Blacks were often murdered

Enforcement Acts

Following the passage of the 15th Amendment racial violence worsened in the south

Congress passed the Enforcement Acts Made it a federal offence to interfere with

a citizens right to vote Invited black politicians to tell Congress of

the hostility faced by African Americans 1,000’s of Ku Klux Klan members were

indicated on charges

End of Reconstruction

Northern support Died off: Other issues such as politics, and the

economy drew their attention away from Reconstruction efforts

Military spending was too much Southern whites gained power

KKK Black Codes

Radical Republicans lose power in Congress