5 section 1

Unit 5: Reconstruction

1865-1877

Bell Ringer

• In terms of social and economic challenges, what problems does the US face now that the Civil War is over?

Aftermath of the Civil War• Reconstruction: Federal program to

rebuild and restore the South after the Civil War.

• Key Question: Why was the South the main focus of Reconstruction?

• Answer: Most of the fighting had taken place in the South.

Southern Hardships• Physical Destruction: – 60% of shipping industry

destroyed– Value of farm land

dropped 70%

• Human Losses:– 20% of Southern white

men killed

3 Types of Southerners • Black Southerners:

– Newly free slaves were left homeless and jobless

• Plantation owners: – Lost $3 Billion in labor– CSA money no longer

good– Forced to sell property

to pay debts

• Poor Whites: – Faced job competition– Migrated west to frontier

lands

Punishment or Pardon?• In your groups, determine what steps should be

taken before the South can be re-admitted to the Union.– What steps must be taken by Southern citizens to be

allowed back into the US?

– How will the South be governed? Will CSA leaders be allowed to hold office?

– What should be done with African Americans?

– How will you pay for reconstruction?

Lincoln’s Plan: “With malice towards none, with charity for all.”1. Pardoned any Confederate who swore an oath of

allegiance to the U.S.2. Denied to pardon any Confederate who killed any African

American P.O.W.3. Permitted each state to draft a new state Constitution

once 10% of population swore allegiance.4. States could then hold elections and resume participation

in US government.

• In your opinion, how would you describe the Lincoln Plan?

Opposition to Lincoln• Radical Republicans: – Believed that the main

goal of the Civil War was to end slavery.

– Reconstruction should provide equal rights for all.

• Congress felt that Lincoln did not have the authority to put forth a reconstruction plan.

Lincoln Assassination • Shot April 14, 1865

• Watching a play at Ford’s Theatre

• Shot by John Wilkes Booth who was chased down and killed.

Johnson’s Plan 1. Pardoned Southerners who swore allegiance.

2. Each state could draft a new Constitution.

3. States were required to void secession, abolish slavery, and pay off Confederate debt.

4. States could then hold elections and rejoin the Union.

• In your own words, summarize Johnson’s plan?

New Freedom• Freedman’s Bureau: Federal program to help

African Americans adjust to free life.

• Freedom to Move: At slavery’s end, freedman just up and left.

• Freedom to own Land: – Freedman stayed on plantations and worked for wages

to buy land.• Freedom to Learn: 90% of freed slaves could not

read

Quick Review1. Define reconstruction:

2. What are some examples of problems the South faced after the war?

3. Who were the radical republicans?

4. How did Lincoln’s reconstruction plan differ from that of Johnson?

5. What was the Freedman’s Bureau?