the reconstruction era...

The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

Sunday, September 14, 14

Presidential Reconstruction

• JOURNAL

• Please read “Setting the Scene” on page 200

• What does “Reconstruct” mean?How can this concept apply to the time period after the Civil War?


Putting Humpty Dumpty Back Together Again

Why worry?

When the Civil War ended, the government of the United States struggled with the issue of

how to put the nation back together


Presidential Reconstruction

• 10 Minutes (200-205)

• Key Terms in Notebook

• Context Clues

• Begin Reading page 203-204


What needed to be rebuilt?

• Southern Economy

• Southern Infrastructure

• Trust between North and South

• Freed Slaves

• Southern States Readmitted


Damage of the Civil War

Why might a harsh Reconstruction plan increase southern bitterness towards the government?

Civil War destroyed the South

Physical and Human Tolls; N and S = No Trust


South: Punished or Pardoned?

How should the “traitors” from the South be dealt with?

There is no solution in the Constitution

The Government does not know what to do


What about the “Freed Slaves”

What should the government do to help the newly freed slaves?

Should they even help?


What is the Government to do?


Reconstruction Plans: Lincoln vs Johnson

• Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast the Reconstruction plans of Lincoln and Johnson.

• Which plan do you agree with? Why?


What Happened?• Lincoln: Quick restoration

• Radical Republicans: Abe to lenient

• Anti Slavery

• Pass Wade Davis Bill

• Lincoln lets it die with Pocket Veto

• Lincoln Assassinated; Andrew Johnson President


Congressional Reconstruction

• 206-211: Key Terms in Notebook

• TEN MINUTES

• Context Clues

• Begin Reading 206-207


Reconstruction under Johnson

Once Southern states were reestablished under Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan, Southern states

began to undermine Reconstruction.


What did Southern States do?

Black Codes:1. Curfews

2. Vagrancy Laws3. Labor Contracts4. Land Restrictions

Virtual Slavery?


How did Congress Respond?

Johnson blamed for black codes by Radical Republicans

Pass Civil Rights Act of 1866

Johnson veto’s, Congress overrides

Congress passes 14th Amendment


The Black Codes


Congress Takes Over

Why: Violence

Johnson still continues to oppose civil rights for African Americans

More Radical Republicans elected


Reconstruct Act of 1867

South under military rule. Divided into 5 districts lead by a Northern general

New elections

All qualified male voters can vote

Barred Confederates

Guarantee of equal rights for all

Ratify 14th Amendment


The ResultPower struggle

Johnson fires Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (RR)

Constitution says he can’t

Johnson Impeached; escapes; powerless

Ulysses S. Grant is elected


the reconstruction era...

Documents