CH 11 Reconstruction

1. CH 11 Reconstruction

3. Reconstruction Era • Two Main Focuses: • 1: Covers the complete history of the entire country from 1865 to 1877 following the Civil War; • 2: Focuses on the transformation of the Southern United States from 1863 to 1877, as directed by Washington, with the reconstruction of state and society • RECONSTRUCTION STARTS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR & ENDS IN 1877!!!

4. Lincoln Assassinated • Lincoln was re-elected and was planning to see the Union through Reconstruction. • Lincoln, however, would be assassinated while watching a play at Ford’s Theater. • John Wilkes Booth believed killing Lincoln would save the Confederacy • Andrew Johnson becomes President

5. Andrew Johnson • From Tennessee • Only Southern Congressmen to hold his seat during the Civil War • Recruited by Republicans to be VP even though he was a life long Democrat • Was not overly concerned about the welfare of the Slaves after the Civil War.

6. Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan • For a Southern State to Re-enter the Union they needed to complete the following steps: • Write a new State Constitution • Elect a new State Governor • Repeal the act of Secession • Cancel any and all war Debts • Ratify the 13th Amendment (Abolishes slavery & involuntary servitude) • Though encouraged by many Republicans Johnson felt no need to make giving freemen the right to vote a requirement.

7. Slaves with Freedom • Former Slaves would now be known as Freedmen • Many took advantage of new rights that had been denied them as slaves in the South • Travel • Marriage • Education • The Freedmen’s Bureau was established to help former slaves, AND POOR WHITES, with food, clothing, education, and medical care. • The Bureau also helped slaves with any legal matters they may have

9. Black Codes • As Southern states met Johnson’s requirements he removed the army. • Many Northern questioned what the South would do unsupervised. • Southern states will pass black codes, or laws specifically designed to limit the freedoms and opportunities of Blacks in the South.

10. What the Black Codes Allow: Allow Don’t Allow Rights of citizenship Can not vote Can not serve on Juries Civil Rights • Can own property • Can work for wages • Marry • File a lawsuit

11. Reason for Black Codes • Clearly defines rights of Blacks in the South • Ensures a workforce for planters who lost their slaves after the war • Limited the social mobility of Blacks after the war.

12. Congress takes over Reconstruction • With all the Southern states meeting his requirements Johnson felt Reconstruction was over. • Radical Republicans, abolitionist before the war, felt reconstruction had just begun. • Led by Thaddeus Stevens & Charles Sumner

13. Radical Republicans • The Radical Republicans were critical of Johnson’s reconstruction plan, and called for equal rights for all peoples. • Congress will introduce two bills • Extend the Freedman’s Bureau past it’s 1 year charter. • Civil Rights Act of 1866: takes direct aim at Black Codes saying that Blacks should receive an equal benefit of the law, the same as whites. • Johnson will veto both bills

14. Johnson’s Reasons & Senates Reaction • Johnson claimed keeping the Freedman’s Bureau would cost to much money & make people lazy. • He said the Civil Rights act would violate a State’s rights under the Constitution • Senate will gather 2/3 of each house, and override the President’s Veto BOTH times. • This was the first time a Congress had ever overridden a President's Veto

15. This actually hurt his public image, and when Congress won a veto proof 2/3 majority in both houses they took over reconstruction • The Congress will take further steps to protect blacks by passing the 14th Amendment (equal protection under the law for all) • When Running for reelection in 1866 Johnson made numerous speeches against the 14th amendment

16. Military Reconstruction • 1867: Congress creates their one Reconstruction strategy known as the Reconstruction Acts • The South is divided into 5 military districts & the Union Returns • Election boards would register white & black voters • Southerners who supported the Confederacy were not allowed to vote • Congress will block Johnson by limiting his Commander & Chief role to Army related issues, and not allow his to fire government employees without approval of Congress

18. Johnson Impeachment Trial • Johnson claimed both these rules were unconstitutional, and to prove so fired the Secretary of War. • Congress brought impeachment charges against Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act and contempt

19. If 2/3 of Congress found Johnson guilty he would be removed from office. • Johnson’s lawyers said that his only crime was opposing Congress (but let it be known if he was not impeached he would stop opposing Congress) • When the votes were cast Johnson was 1 vote short of being impeached

20. Scalawags & Carpetbaggers • Southerners were upset at the return of the Union Army. • Three groups register to vote: • Blacks (Duh) and Poor Whites (???) register as Republicans • Southerners will call whites who register as Republicans Scalawags. • Northerners would move South after the war. Southerners would call these Yankees Carpetbaggers. (Republicans)

21. Election of 1868 • These three groups would be influential in the election of 1868. • All three groups vote for Ulysses S Grant, who seeks to protect the rights of Freedmen. • Grant’s opponent will win the majority of the white vote in the South, but Blacks overwhelmingly elect Grant.

22. 15th Amendment • With Grant winning Republicans realize they need the black vote. • Congress will pass the 15th Amendment making it a right that all citizens can vote.

23. Because of the 14th & 15th Amendment 16 Blacks will be elected to senate between 1869 and 1880

24. The South • Many Southern states would be readmitted to the Union by the 1870s. • Segregation but was not extremely common • Much of the money sent to the South to repair roads, build bridges, and start schools would be taken by corrupt government officials.

25. The New Farming System • Many farmers were suffering after the War. • Even the previously rich were barely getting by because they could not afford to pay workers. Large plantation owners broke their land into small plots. • These plots were then rented, and those farmers would grow on their land. • This idea was known as Tennant farming.

26. Some tenants would pay with crops and not cash, this was known as Sharecropping. • This seemed like a promising idea to whites & blacks. • In reality tenants had to borrow money for seeds, tools & supplies. They would never make enough money to pay their debt. • This led to debt peonage, where someone was legally obligated to work for someone until they paid them back.

29. Reversing Reconstruction • Many Southern Whites opposed Reconstruction calling it illegal (Many former Confederates had been banned from voting) • Groups would form in opposition to the new order, the best known being the Ku Klux Klan. • The Klan would terrorize blacks and white republicans by burning schools, attacking Freedmen’s Bureau offices, and through murder to stop people from voting.

31. Northern Response • Grant will make it a federal crime to oppress an individuals rights. • He sends the military to break up terror groups. • This results in a short term drop in terror • In 1872 Congress will close the Freedmen’s bureau and give amnesty (a general pardon) to all former confederate members.

32. Reconstruction Ends 1877 • The Election of 1876 was extremely close. • The vote in SC, FL, and LA were disputed. • A deal was made: • Rutherford B Hayes will become President over Tilden who actually WON the popular vote(N) • A Southerner would be named to his cabinet (S) • All remaining military forces would be removed from the South (S) • Federal money will be given to build a better railroad in the South (S)

34. Reconstruction Undone • Redeemers, or Whites opposed to reconstruction, start to quickly reverse reconstruction after 1877 • Poll taxes and Literacy Tests were put in place to stop blacks from voting. • Redeemers inserted a Grandfather Clause which allowed you to be exempt from the taxes and test if your grandfather voted in the 1867 election

36. Jim Crow & Segregation • Redeemers would start to legally separate whites & blacks in what became known as Jim Crow Laws. • Many blacks would attempt to stand up for their rights but would be lynched in the process.

37. Plessyvs Ferguson • 1890: Louisiana Railroad companies decide to separate white and black passengers on train cars. • They find Homer Plessy, and octoroon [1/8 black], to buy a ticket and board the “white” section of the train. • The company discovering he will do this allow him to board the train, ask him to move, and eventually have him arrested.

39. Plessy argues that his 13th & 14th Amendment rights are being violated, but a Louisiana court says the company is within its legal rights inside the state of LA. • The decision will be fought up to the US Supreme Court where they judges will vote 7 to 1 in favorof the train company as long as the train cars are, “separate but equal.” • This single ruling opens the door up to legalized segregation in the US & destroys almost all the progress made by Reconstruction and the Civil War.