The Ordeal of Reconstruction

Chapter 22

The Problems Of Peace

Major questions facing the country How would the south be rebuilt How would the liberated Blacks be converted

to free citizens How would southern states be reintegrated

into the Union Who would direct reconstruction, the southern

states, the President or Congress What to do with confederate leaders?

Major Problems InThe South

Social and economic system had collapsed. Key Southern cities were devastated. Banking system had collapsed under run-away

inflation. Factories were destroyed Transportation system completely broken down Agriculture, major economic force of the south,

totally collapsed. Southern rich were suddenly much poorer. Many Southerners were beaten but still defiant

and were not yet emotionally prepared to reintegrate with the north.

Freedmen Define Freedom Immediately after war, freedom for Blacks depended on where the

army was Many in South rejected validity of Emancipation Proclamation Reaction of Blacks Blacks hit the road

Exodusters Black schools Black churches

The Freedmen’s Bureau

Congress creates the Freedmen’s Bureau March, 1865.

Purpose? Greatest success? Failed to provide land, as authorized Blacks and labor contracts

Freedmen’s Bureau School

Freedmen’s Bureau School

Southern View of Freedmen’s Bureau

Plenty to eat and nothing to do.

Southern View of Freedmen’s Bur.

Southerners resented the Bureau as northern intrusion.

Pres. Johnson didn’t support it. Why?

It died in 1872. One of many failures

of reconstruction.

Johnson: The Tailor President

He had started from very humble beginnings.

Never attended school. Enters politics in Tenn. Champion of poor whites and

mountain whites. As Tenn. Congressman he

refused to secede with Tenn. Forced to flee Tenn.

Johnson: The Tailor President

Appointed War Governor after Tenn. partially redeemed by Union Army.

Appointed VP when Lincoln needs to cement the Union Party and keep the vote of border states and Union democrats.

Dogmatic believer in State’s Right and the Constitution.

See John Tyler

Presidential Reconstruction

Lincoln plan proposed before war over. What is Lincoln’s basic theory What is the basic condition for states to be

redeemed? Who does Lincoln think should be in

charge or reconstruction? Why? How does Congress feel about his plan?

Why? Lincoln’s 10% Plan. Details

Congress Reacts

Congress disagreed with Lincoln’s approach.

Congressional Republican theory? Who in charge of readmission?. Radical Republican Goals.

Congress passes the Wade-Davis Bill in 1864 What does it say? What happened to this bill?

Johnson’s Pan for Reconstruction

Johnson agreed with Lincoln’s 10% plan. Recognized several 10% governments.

Introduced his plan 8/1865. Disenfranchised southerners with property over

$20,000. They could petition him for a pardon called for special state conventions

to repeal declarations of secession, repudiating confederate debts and ratifying 13th Amendment prohibiting slavery

Who deals with former slaves? How does Congress React? Why?

Black Codes

New states passed Black Codes

Harsh Purpose? Southern concerns and

motives? Consequences

For blacks politically

Congressional Reconstruction

1865. States readmitted by Johnson start sending Congressmen to Washington.

Many are former Confederate politicians and Generals.

Republicans outraged Why?

Congress’ reaction? This sets up a monumental show-down

with Johnson

Johnson Clashes With Congress

Johnson reacts strongly to Congress What is his concern?

Johnson announces that South had satisfied his conditions and Union was restored.

Vetoed extension of Freedman’s Bureau.

Civil Rights Act. What does the Act do?

What does Johnson do to the bill. What does Congress do in response?

Fourteenth Amendment

Why does Congress propose? What does it say?

Conferred Civil Rights except the vote on Freedmen. Reduced representation in Congress of states that did

not give the freedmen the vote. Disqualified from federal and state office former

confederates who had previously sworn oath to Const. of the US and, thus, had violated it.

Repudiated the confederate debt. Extended Due Process to all citizens.

Ratified in 1868

Johnson’s Back-firing Campaign

1866 Johnson and Congress battle over whether reconstruction would continue with or without the 14th Amendment.

The battle-ground became the Congressional elections. Johnson hoped for a majority in favor of his soft

approach. Republicans sought a congress that was veto-proof.

Johnson goes on a “give-‘em-hell” campaign swing to try to marshal votes.

Johnson’s efforts backfire. Why? Result?

SWINGING AROUND THE CIRCLE WITH

JOHNSON

Republican’s In Charge Republicans now in the driver’s

seat, but split between the radicals and the moderates.

Radicals led by Charles Sumner in the Senate and Thaddeus Stevens in the house.

Aims of Radicals? Aims of Moderates? Moderates had the upper hand Eventual policies showed influences

of both Both recognize that federal power

necessary to ensure enfranchisement of blacks.

Military Reconstruction Reconstruction Act (March 1867) What did it do?

Temporarily disenfranchised many southerners—10,000

Stringent conditions for the readmission of the seceded states

States required to ratify Fourteenth Amendment to come back in

State constitutions must guarantee vote for slaves Stopped short of giving blacks land or requiring

education. Johnson vehemently opposes. What does he do

in response?

Military Reconstruction ActMilitary Reconstruction Act

Military Reconstruction

15th Amendment passed 1869 (ratified in 1870).

Why necessary after Reconstruction Act? Military reconstruction questionable

constitutionally. Why? By 1870 all states readmitted under terms

of Reconstruction Act. Last federal troops leave in 1877.

Radical Reconstruction In The South

Evolution of attitude toward black enfranchisement.

Blacks voting, but many whites weren’t. Union Leagues 14 Black Congressmen; 2 Black

Senators. Height of black political power until mid 20th Century.

Carpetbaggers and Scalawags. Assessment of reconstruction

governments in the South

Ku Klux Klan

KKK (Invisible Empire of the South) Used intimidation, fear and force to get

upstart Blacks and carpetbaggers to get back in their place.

Founded by Nathan Bedford Forrest. Undermined the civil rights given to blacks. Force Act

Effective?

Johnson Impeachment

Radical Republicans frustrated with Johnson and out for his hide.

Tenure in Office Act (1867). Provisions? How does Johnson violate the act? Constitutionality of act? House vote for impeachment Factors impacting the Senate vote

The Purchase Of Alaska

One of Johnson’s few successes was the purchase of Alaska.

Why were Russians looking to unload Alaska?

Sec. of State Seward agrees to purchase for 7.2 Mil in 1867. Dubbed Seward’s Folly.

Why was US willing to purchase?