Presidential Reconstruction

Presidential Reconstruction

Lincoln’s Plan to put the Union back together

Quick Fire

• Imagine that you have two sons. Your older son has been bullying and fighting your younger son. The older son says he is upset because the younger son gets more attention. You punish your son, and he responds by running away from home. Before he leaves, he steals $500 from you.

• What would you do when your son returns?• Would you punish him harshly so he won’t do it

again, or be lenient with him if he promises not to do it again? Explain your choice.

Lincoln’s Funeral Parade

Ruins of Richmond, VA

Ruins of Richmond, VA

Emancipation Celebration

Freedmen Schoolhouse Burned

Brainstorm a list of problems the U.S. faced as a nation after the Civil War

President Lincoln’s Plan

(Presidential Reconstruction)

President Lincoln’s Plan

(Presidential Reconstruction)10% Plan

* Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (December 8, 1863)

* Replace majority rule with “loyal rule” in the South.

* He didn’t consult Congress regarding Reconstruction.

* Pardon to all but the highest ranking military and civilian Confederate officers.

* When 10% of the voting population in the 1860 election had taken an oath of loyalty and established a government, it would be recognized.

President Lincoln’s PlanPresident Lincoln’s Plan

1864 “Lincoln Governments” formed in LA, TN, AR

* “loyal assemblies”

* They were weak and dependent on the Northern army for their survival.

Wade-Davis Bill (1864)Wade-Davis Bill (1864) Required 50% of the

number of 1860 voters to take an “iron clad” oath of allegiance (swearing they had never voluntarily aided the rebellion ).

Required a state constitutional convention before the election of state officials.

Enacted specific safeguards of freedmen’s liberties.

SenatorBenjamin

Wade(R-OH)

Congressman

HenryW. Davis(R-MD)

Wade-Davis Bill (1864)Wade-Davis Bill (1864) “Iron-Clad” Oath.

“State Suicide” Theory [MA Senator Charles Sumner]

“Conquered Provinces” Position[PA Congressman Thaddeus Stevens]

PresidentLincoln

Wade-DavisBill

PocketVeto

With your partner make a pro’s/con’s list for the Presidential Reconstruction

From the point of view:• Freedmen• Southerners• Northerners

Presidential ReconstructionPro’s Northerners Con’s

Presidential ReconstructionPro’s Southerners Con’s

Presidential ReconstructionPro’s Freedmen Con’s

Wrap-Up

• Pick an image from the beginning of this presentation that shows a problem that you think would be improved by the President’s plan. Explain why the plan will help.

• Pick an image from the beginning of this presentation that shows a problem that will be made worse by the President’s plan. Explain why.

Wrap-Up (type response here)