Reconstruction

ReconstructionReconstruction

1865 to 1877?1865 to 1877?

Reconstruction

Rebuilding the former Confederate states and reuniting the nation

Reconstruction Era has two areas of focus the first covers the entire nation in the period

1865–1877 following the Civil War. the second one, covers the transformation of

the South from 1863 to 1877, with the reconstruction of state and society in the former Confederacy.

What were consequences and significant What were consequences and significant problems that the US needs to be address problems that the US needs to be address after the Civil War?after the Civil War?

Consequences & Future Issues Consequences & Future Issues the of Civil Warthe of Civil War

Destruction of farms, property, buildings…Destruction of farms, property, buildings…   Relationship between Southerners and Freedmen?Relationship between Southerners and Freedmen?   Relationship between the North and the South?Relationship between the North and the South?   Lack of Maintenance of Productivity on the Farms (No Lack of Maintenance of Productivity on the Farms (No

cheap labor)cheap labor)   Limited Maintenance of Limited Maintenance of

Law and OrderLaw and Order

- Disruption of - Disruption of

TransportationTransportation War CasualtiesWar Casualties   Inadequate Quality of Health and Sanitary ConditionsInadequate Quality of Health and Sanitary Conditions

http://www.archives.gov/research/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-096.jpg

Future Issues after Civil WarFuture Issues after Civil War

What is the plan for how the South will be What is the plan for how the South will be readmitted back into the Union? Who will readmitted back into the Union? Who will have the Constitutional Authority to monitor have the Constitutional Authority to monitor the reconstruction process?the reconstruction process?

To what extent will the Dems & Reps work To what extent will the Dems & Reps work together to unite the nation?together to unite the nation?

How (or to what extent) will the status of How (or to what extent) will the status of A.A. change?A.A. change? Political, Social, & EconomicPolitical, Social, & Economic

What is the plan for how the South will be What is the plan for how the South will be readmitted back into the Union? Who will readmitted back into the Union? Who will have the Constitutional Authority to have the Constitutional Authority to monitor the reconstruction process?monitor the reconstruction process?

Who is in charge of the Reconstruction Who is in charge of the Reconstruction Process: Executive or Legislative Branch?Process: Executive or Legislative Branch?

Lincoln’s Reconstruction PlanLincoln’s Reconstruction Plan

Proclamation of Amnesty aka 10% Plan (Dec. 8, Proclamation of Amnesty aka 10% Plan (Dec. 8, 1863)1863) Executive Branch Executive Branch should be in charge should be in charge of Reconstructionof Reconstruction 10% must swear10% must swear allegiance to US govt.allegiance to US govt. Govt pardons all Conf. Govt pardons all Conf. except for high-ranking except for high-ranking ConfederatesConfederates Abolishment of Slavery (13Abolishment of Slavery (13thth Amendment) Amendment)

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Radical Republican Reconstruction Radical Republican Reconstruction PlanPlan

Wade Davis Bill (passed by Congress in July, 1864)Wade Davis Bill (passed by Congress in July, 1864) Congress should be in charge of ReconstructionCongress should be in charge of Reconstruction Majority should swear allegiance to US govtMajority should swear allegiance to US govt

Many Radical Rep. Many Radical Rep. (ex: Charles Sumner &(ex: Charles Sumner & Thaddeus Stevens) supported Thaddeus Stevens) supported African Americans and that theyAfrican Americans and that theyshould beshould be given full citizenshipgiven full citizenship & right to vote & right to vote

* Plan was pocket vetoed by Lincoln* Plan was pocket vetoed by Lincolnhttp://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/daybyday/images/thaddeus_stevens.jpg

Abe Lincoln’s second Inaugural Speech

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s as God gives us to see the right, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

-March 4, 1865

March 1865 to April 1865March 1865 to April 1865

Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865: End of Civil War

March 1865 to April 1865March 1865 to April 1865

Death of Lincoln: April 15, 1865 (7:22 am)

Inauguration of Andrew Inauguration of Andrew JohnsonJohnson

April 15, 1865 (10-11 am)

Johnson’s (Presidential) Johnson’s (Presidential) Reconstruction PlanReconstruction Plan

Similar to Lincoln’s Plan (10% Plan)Similar to Lincoln’s Plan (10% Plan) However, major exception wasHowever, major exception was

• The Exclusion of high-ranking Confederates and wealthy The Exclusion of high-ranking Confederates and wealthy Southern Southern

landowners from landowners from taking the oath neededtaking the oath needed for voting privileges for voting privileges (pardon these individuals (pardon these individuals on an individual basis)on an individual basis)• Southern States must Southern States must repudiate Confederate debtrepudiate Confederate debt

Johnson’s Plan was Johnson’s Plan was supported by Southsupported by South According to Johnson, According to Johnson, Reconstruction was completed by December 1865Reconstruction was completed by December 1865

http://www.ralphmag.org/AF/andrew-johnson310x468.gif

Carpetbaggers & Scalawags!!!!! Derogatory name still used by historians to describe the

following… Scalawags

Traitor (to the Southern cause) White southerners who joined the Republican Party

• Most were small farmers, who are now In favor of Industrialization ASAP

Carpetbagger Northerners who moved to South after the War, Perceived as opportunists by the South

• Mixed motives: Freedmen Bureau agents, teachers, ministers, union soldiers, businessmen, adventurers…

Most of the Carpetbaggers supported the Republican Both Scalawags & Carpetbaggers most likely got

politically involved, representing the Republican Party .

Reconstruction Legislation?Reconstruction Legislation? What do you propose?What do you propose?

Congressional ReconstructionCongressional Reconstruction: : Legislation (during Johnson’s Era)Legislation (during Johnson’s Era)

1313THTH Amendment (supported by Johnson) Amendment (supported by Johnson) Abolished SlaveryAbolished Slavery

Freedmen’s Bureau (passed over Johnson’s veto)Freedmen’s Bureau (passed over Johnson’s veto) Educational and medical assistance to FreedmenEducational and medical assistance to Freedmen

Civil Rights Act of 1866 (passed over Johnson’s veto)Civil Rights Act of 1866 (passed over Johnson’s veto) First Civil Rights Act in US HistoryFirst Civil Rights Act in US History Granted Citizenship and equal protection under the law to Granted Citizenship and equal protection under the law to

African AmericansAfrican Americans 1414thth Amendment (not supported by Johnson) Amendment (not supported by Johnson)

Constitutional Amendment equivalent to Civil Rights Act of Constitutional Amendment equivalent to Civil Rights Act of 18661866

Prohibited states from denying any citizens of “life, liberty, or Prohibited states from denying any citizens of “life, liberty, or property without due process of law” and “Equal Protection”property without due process of law” and “Equal Protection”

States who do not give freedmen the right to vote cannot States who do not give freedmen the right to vote cannot count them in censuscount them in census

……

Reconstruction Acts of 1867: Reconstruction Acts of 1867: Military ZonesMilitary Zones

Reconstruction Acts of 1867 (passed over Johnson’s Reconstruction Acts of 1867 (passed over Johnson’s veto)veto) South divided into five military districts (exception= South divided into five military districts (exception=

Tennessee)Tennessee) South states must South states must ratify 14ratify 14thth Amendment Amendment to be reenter the Unionto be reenter the Union Essentially became the Essentially became the New Reconstruction PlanNew Reconstruction Plan Called for new State Called for new State Constitutions & inclusion of AA in processConstitutions & inclusion of AA in process

http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/tdgh-mar/reconstructionmap.jpg\

How might Johnson’s continual veto of How might Johnson’s continual veto of legislation passed by Congress affect his legislation passed by Congress affect his relationship with Congress?relationship with Congress?

Radical Republicans vs. President Radical Republicans vs. President JohnsonJohnson

Reasons why Republicans disliked Johnson?Reasons why Republicans disliked Johnson? Affiliated with the Democratic PartyAffiliated with the Democratic Party Pardoned many Confederate LeadersPardoned many Confederate Leaders Continual Veto of Reconstruction Continual Veto of Reconstruction of legislationof legislation- Swing Around the CircleSwing Around the Circle SpeechesSpeeches Refusal to enforce Refusal to enforce Reconstruction Reconstruction legislation and rightslegislation and rights of freedmenof freedmen-Alienated his Rep. Cabinet-Alienated his Rep. Cabinet

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Nast_on_Andrew_Johnson.jpg

Johnson’s Impeachment TrialJohnson’s Impeachment TrialMarch to May 1868March to May 1868

Tenure in Office Act (Passed over Johnson’s veto)Tenure in Office Act (Passed over Johnson’s veto) President couldn’t remove Cabinet officers without President couldn’t remove Cabinet officers without

Congressional ConsentCongressional Consent Johnson fires Johnson fires Secretary of War Secretary of War Edwin StantonEdwin Stanton House brings 11 House brings 11 impeachment chargesimpeachment charges against Johnsonagainst Johnson Acquitted by one voteAcquitted by one vote (Edmund Ross)(Edmund Ross) http://www.picturehistory.com/images/products/0/0/6/prod_601.jpghttp://www.picturehistory.com/images/products/0/0/6/prod_601.jpg

http://prod.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/recon/jb_recon_impeach_1_e.jpghttp://prod.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/recon/jb_recon_impeach_1_e.jpg

What if…What if…

How is the acquittal of A. Johnson How is the acquittal of A. Johnson historically significant? historically significant? Think Check & Balances.Think Check & Balances.

Significant Reconstruction Significant Reconstruction Legislation (during Grant’s Era) Legislation (during Grant’s Era)

1515thth Amendment (supported by Grant) Amendment (supported by Grant) All male citizens (including African American males) All male citizens (including African American males)

have the right to votehave the right to vote

Enforcement Act of 1870 (supported by Grant)Enforcement Act of 1870 (supported by Grant) Federal Govt has power to protect voting rights of Federal Govt has power to protect voting rights of

African AmericansAfrican Americans

Civil Rights Act of 1875 (supported by Grant)Civil Rights Act of 1875 (supported by Grant) Outlawed racial segregation in public placesOutlawed racial segregation in public places Assured the right of African Americans to serve on Assured the right of African Americans to serve on

juriesjuries

Obstacles Faced by Freedmen & Obstacles Faced by Freedmen & Southern Control over FreedmenSouthern Control over Freedmen

--Black CodesBlack Codes (1865 to 1866) (1865 to 1866)-state laws that restricted Freedmen’s daily life -state laws that restricted Freedmen’s daily life -prohibiting blacks from carrying weapons, -prohibiting blacks from carrying weapons,

serving on juries, marrying whites, serving on juries, marrying whites, starting their starting their own businesses, etc…own businesses, etc…

--Voting RestrictionsVoting Restrictions-Poll taxes, Literacy Tests, Intimidation, -Poll taxes, Literacy Tests, Intimidation,

Grandfather Clause, etc… Grandfather Clause, etc…

--Organization of the KKKOrganization of the KKK-Nathan Bedford Forrest-Nathan Bedford Forrest

was the First Grand Wizardwas the First Grand Wizard-Organized in Tennessee-Organized in Tennessee-Anti-African American, Republican -Anti-African American, Republican Party, etc.Party, etc.

--Sharecropping & Tenant Farming Sharecropping & Tenant Farming -Freedmen fell victim to Crop-lien -Freedmen fell victim to Crop-lien

SystemSystem http://www.nathanbedfordforrestudc.org/nbf.jpg

Sharecropping CycleSharecropping Cycle

http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/wallm/Texas%20Main/Frontier%20and%20Industry/Images/texas_1.jpg

Coping Strategies used by Southern African Americans

Union League• Network of political clubs that educated members in their civic duties

and campaigned for Rep. candidates

Became involved in national politics Hiram Revels & Blanche K. Bruce became Mississippi Senators

African American Churches (African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Methodist Episcopal Zion

(AMEZ), Colored (now "Christian") Methodist Episcopal Church, National Baptist Convention

Migration to the West Exodusters (Benjamin “Pap” Singleton) to Kansas

http://www2.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/african/west/single_l.jpg

Events that led to end of Reconstruction

Scandals during Grant’s administration (ex Credit Mobilier & Whiskey Ring) Rise of Liberal Republicans who favored less govt control and more control of the

govt (1872 election) Amnesty Act of 1872

Pardoned many southern rebels Supreme Court Case ruled that 14th amendment only applies to federal govt

US vs Reese & Slaughter-House Cases

Financial Panic of 1873 Redeemers of the South (Less control from scalawags and carpetbaggers)

Election of 1876…http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/785281FF-CC84-4F40-9465-88D2BF8BCE38/BE031416.jpg

1876 Presidential Election1876 Presidential Election

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Compromise of 1877 & End of Compromise of 1877 & End of Reconstruction?Reconstruction?

Bargain to secure Hayes Bargain to secure Hayes victoryvictory• Hayes will remove all remaining Hayes will remove all remaining

federal troops from South Carolina federal troops from South Carolina and Louisiana (Rec. Acts of 1867)and Louisiana (Rec. Acts of 1867)

• Federal aid to southern railroads Federal aid to southern railroads and for internal improvementsand for internal improvements

• Southern Democrats will Southern Democrats will

accept Hayes as presidentaccept Hayes as president• South promises to protect South promises to protect

African American rightsAfrican American rights

historyplace.comhistoryplace.com

Frederick Douglas Frederick Douglas

When you turned us loose, you turned us loose to When you turned us loose, you turned us loose to the sky, to the storm, to the whirlwind, and worst of the sky, to the storm, to the whirlwind, and worst of all…to the wrath of our infuriated masters…. The all…to the wrath of our infuriated masters…. The question now is, do you meanquestion now is, do you mean

to make good to us the to make good to us the

promises in your promises in your

Constitution? The Constitution? The

answer provided by theanswer provided by the

1876 election and the 1876 election and the

1877 compromise was “No.”1877 compromise was “No.”

Aftermath of ReconstructionAftermath of Reconstruction

African Americans continue to deal with African Americans continue to deal with prejudice and discrimination (Jim Crow prejudice and discrimination (Jim Crow Laws, Segregation, Plessy vs Ferguson Laws, Segregation, Plessy vs Ferguson etc….)etc….)

Republican stronghold on presidency until Republican stronghold on presidency until 1932 election (w/ few exceptions)1932 election (w/ few exceptions)

To what extent should Reconstruction be To what extent should Reconstruction be perceived as a success or failure?perceived as a success or failure?