Questions of Reconstruction

QUESTIONS OF RECONSTRUCTION

Focus Question• According to the Second Inaugural Address, how would

Lincoln have treated the defeated Southern states?

Results of the Civil War• The Union was preserved• Slavery ended

• Emancipation in rebellious states

• Thirteenth Amendment ratified in 1865

• Lincoln assassinated

Economic Shifts• Wealth transferred from the South to the North

• Southern economy left a shambles• Northern industrial economy grew dramatically

• Numerous governmentcontracts for goods

• Revised bankingstandards

Waging Peace• Numerous questions arose

Waging Peace• Numerous questions arose1. Who will be in charge of Reconstruction?2. How will Southern states re-enter the Union?3. What will be done with former Confederate officials?4. How should the Southern political and economic

structure be formed?5. What will be done with the Freedmen?

The 10% Plan• Floated by Lincoln in 1863• States readmitted to the Union when:

• 10% of the voting population of 1860 swore allegiance to the U.S.

• Swore to support emancipation• Supported the Freedmen’s Bureau

Congressional ReconstructionWade-Davis Bill• States could re-enter the Union when:

• 50% of voters swore they never supported the Confederacy

• Demanded guarantees of racial equality• Pocket Vetoed by Lincoln

Presidential Reconstruction• Proposed by Andrew Johnson• Supported the 10% Plan

• Required states to ratify the 13th Amendment• Did not support the Freedmen’s Bureau

Freedmen’s Bureau• Agency designed to help former slaves and poor whites

• Provided health care, education, and basics• Fueled by Northern abolitionists and Free Blacks

• Began during the war• Reauthorization in 1866 vetoed by President Johnson• Veto overridden by Congress

Southern Responses• Three states quickly abided by 10% Plan in 1865

• Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas• Elected former Confederates to the House and Senate

• Infuriated the North• Refused to seat these congressmen

• Sets up an issue with President Johnson

Pressing the Issue• Numerous Southern states pass a series of Black Codes• Laws designed to restrict behavior of African-Americans

• Draconian work rules• Rules for travel• Rules for public gatherings• Rules for carrying weapons

• Clear violation of Civil Liberties

Civil Rights Act of 1866• Both Radical and Moderate Republicans angered

• Black Codes attempted to erase the results of the War• Passed the first Civil Rights Act in 1866

• Vetoed by President Johnson• Violated the states rights clause of the Constitution• Ruined his chance to forge a national coalition party• Veto overridden by Congress

Showdown• The 1866 elections saw a massive Republican landslide

• Veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate.• Congress dominated by Radical Republicans

• Radicals began to put pressure to remove Johnson• Passed the Tenure of Office Act over his veto• Required Senate approval for a President to fire a

cabinet member• Violation of this Act declared a felony

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson (1868)

• Johnson fired the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton• The House immediately impeached Johnson• Senate conducted impeachment trial• Vote came down 35-19 in favor of removal

Military Reconstruction• Congress Passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867

• Placed the former Confederacy under military occupation• Divided into 5 military districts• Civil order kept by U.S. troops

• Required new elections of Southern government officials

• Required new constitutions which gave Freedmen the vote

• Required states to ratify the 14th Amendment