Chapter 13

1. Chapter 13 Reconstruction

2. After the Civil War • What to do after the civil war? • Many conflicting plans for Reconstruction • Lots of resources were put toward rebuilding the Southern economy • New political gains for African Americans • Gradually taken back as whites begin to regain power

3. Reconstruction • This period lasted from 1865 to 1877. • It required the rebuilding of the nation’s economy • AND rebuilding its government • Competing plans for the future led to many political battles in Washington

4. Plans for Reconstruction • There were several different plans that emerged after the war • Much debate about differing plans centered on who would control Reconstruction • President or Congress?

5. Lincoln’s Plan • His plan was based on the idea that the Southern states had never left the Union. • Features: • Pardons to Southerners who swore oaths of loyalty to the United States • Recognition of new Southern state governments when 10% of those who had voted in the 1860 election took these oaths and when the states adopted new constitutions abolishing slavery • Concern that healing the nation’s wounds quickly was essential

6. Lincoln’s Plan con’t • Lincoln was open to suggestions from Congress for changes in his plan, but his assassination in April 1865 meant he would never carry out his program.

7. THINK ABOUT IT!! • Why is President Lincoln’s assassination considered a turning point in history?

8. Johnson’s Plan • Andrew Johnson became president after Lincoln’s death • He intended to follow the broad outlines of Lincoln’s plan • He recognized four Southern state governments and prepared to readmit the others • These states would participate fully in Congress

9. Johnson’s Plan • Radical Republicans • They controlled Congress and they wanted harsher terms for Reconstruction • Johnson’s lack of congressional consideration and his efforts to block radical plans… led Republicans in Congress to attempt to impeach him • Fell 1 vote short of impeachment • Johnson’s political power was gone after the accusations

10. THINK ABOUT IT!! • Why did Congress impeach President Johnson??

11. Radical Reconstruction • Features: • The division of the South into five military districts controlled by the U.S. Army, while new states constitutions and governments were being set up • The requirement of the new state governments to grant African American males the right to vote • The requirement of Southern states to ratify the 14th amendment • the amendment prohibited many former Confederate government officials from holding office

12. THINK ABOUT IT!! • Which groups had the largest roles in the Radical Reconstruction? • Which groups had the smallest roles?

13. State Governments During Reconstruction • Immediately after the Civil War • While Southerners who had served in leadership positions, tired to reassert their control of state and local governments • They were especially concerned with limiting the freedom and movement of former slaves

14. State Governments Con’t • Radical plan of Reconstruction • Most of the former Confederate leaders (mostly Democrats) we barred from holding office and voting • Republicans headed the new state governments • They were strongly supported by African Americans

15. State Governments Con’t • Radical Reconstruction • Many white Southerners resented (hated) the federal gov’ts implementation of RR • They also resented the new Reconstruction governments and the role of African Americans in them • White Southerners sometimes used terror and violence in efforts to keep African Americans from taking part in government

16. New Constitutional Amendments • 13th Amendment (1865)- Abolished slavery in the United States • 15th Amendment (1870)- declared that states could not keep citizens from voting because of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (slavery)

17. Amendments Con’t • 14thAmendment (1868)- (1) declared that all native-born or naturalized people, including African Americans, were citizens; (2) forbade states to make laws that “abridge the privileges… of citizens” or that “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” or that “deny to any person… the equal protection of the laws”; (3) limited the rights of former Confederate officers and gov’t officials; (4) promised to pay Civil War debts owed by the federal gov’t, but declared Confederate debts to be void

18. President Grant • This was the first presidential election after the Civil War (1868) • General Ulysses S. Grant ran as the Republican candidate and won • His strengths were militarily, not politically • Scandals and corruption damaged Grant’s administration

19. Grant Scandals • Credit Mobilier Scandal: Railroad officials impoverished the railroad, then bribed member of Congress to black any investigation • “Salary Grab”: Congress voted itself a 50% raise and added two years of “payback”. Public outrage forced repeal of this act • “Whiskey Ring”- Whiskey distillers paid graft (bribery) to federal tax collectors rather than pay tax on their liquor

20. THINK ABOUT IT!! • Why were scandals common during president Grant’s administration?

21. Beginning of the End • Republican Party weakened because of Grants corrupted administration • Most new white southerners began voting Democratic in reaction to Radical Reconstruction • Most of the next century the Democratic party would dominate voting in the South • Republican Party was still very strong in the North and Midwest