What were the major plans for Reconstructing the South?

1. What were the major plans for Reconstructing the South? Copy information into your notes.

2. End of the Civil War • On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA. • After 4 years the bloody war was finally over. • About 25,000 of the 125,000 GA soldiers who fought for the Confederacy died during the war.

3. Lincoln’s Plan – 10% plan • Lincoln announced his plan in 1863 – a year and a half before the end of the war. • His plan had 3 components: • Lincoln would appoint provisional governors for the southern states • Southerners would be pardoned after taking oath of allegiance. • After 10% of voters had taken oath, states could send reps. back to congress and reform state governments

4. Reconstruction • Lincoln never got to see the South rebuilt because he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. • Andrew Johnson succeeded Lincoln and became the USA’s 17th president and now had the task of rebuilding the nation. • President Johnson was a southern Democrat who was loyal to the Union during the war. He favored a form of reconstruction that was less harsh on the South but did little to guarantee the rights of slaves.

5. Johnson’s Plan • Very similar to Lincoln’s Plan • Components • Very wealthy southerners had to apply to the President for a pardon • Southern states had to approve the 13th amendment. • Southern states had to nullify their ordinances of secession. • Southern state had to promise not to repay those that had helped them finance the Confederacy.

6. Johnson’s Plan • Outcome • Pres. Johnson appointed James Johnson as provisional governor for Georgia. • Georgia ratified the 13th amendment. • Georgia and other southern states began passing black codes (Voc.) – laws that restricted the rights of newly-freed blacks. • Examples of black codes: whippings were allowed as punishment, freedmen could not vote, serve on juries or testify against whites.

7. Conflict over Reconstruction grew so much that Johnson was impeached. • Impeach – bringing formal charges against an elected official in hopes of removing them from office • Johnson was saved by one vote from being removed from office. • What other president has been impeached?

8. Congress’ plan • Congress decided to take over Reconstruction • A group known as the Radical Republicans wanted to punish the South. They forced Johnson to add more components to his Reconstruction plan.

9. Congress’ plan • Component • Passed Civil Rights Act of 1866 • Southern states had to pass the 14th amendment, which gave newly freed slaves the rights of citizenship. • Outcome • Most southern states refused and were put under military rule. • Georgia rewrote its constitution and ratified 14th amendment in 1868.

10. Congress steps in again • December 1869 – Georgia placed under military rule again by Congress • Component • Georgia had to ratify 15th amendment (gave black men the right to vote) • Outcome • Georgia ratified 15th amendment • Jefferson Long became Georgia’s first black Congressman and the first black ever to make a speech in the House of Representatives.

11. Results in GA • Black legislators elected • 29 African Americans elected to Georgia House of Representatives • 3 elected to Georgia Senate • Some elected were Tunis G. Campbell Jr., Henry McNeal Turner, and Aaron Bradley • They were expelled from office b/c even though they had the right to vote, they did not have the right to hold elected office.

12. Results in GA • 1867 –first time blacks participated in an election; 32 black legislators were elected • Rufus Bullock became the first Republican gov. in GA. No other Republican served in that office until Sonny Perdue’s election in 2002. • Georgia’s capital was moved to Atlanta in 1868. • GA officially “reconstructed” in 1870.

13. Freedmen’s Bureau • Established by the government • Designed to help newly freed slaves and poor whites cope w/everyday problems like food, clothing • First known as Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands • 1st commissioner – Gen. Oliver O. Howard

14. Freedmen’s Bureau • Later shifted its focus to bigger issues like education and voting rights • Set up more than 4,000 primary schools, 64 industrial schools, 74 teacher-training schools • Sought to register black men to vote after 15th amendment was passed