Reconstruction Era Challenges: Davis to Klan, Politics, and Freedom

1. Chapter 22 The Ordeal of Reconstruction, 1865–1877

3. I. The Problems of Peace • Jefferson Davis and fellow “conspirators” • Pardoned (1868) • Conditions of the South • Old South collapsed economically and socially • Beaten but unbent • Confederates believed “lost cause” was just

4. II. Freedmen Define Freedom • Whites recognize emancipation realities • Blacks suspicious and uncertain • Blacks searched for family members, jobs, homes • The church became the focus of black communities

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10. III. The Freedmen’s Bureau (1865-1872) • A part of “Reconstruction” • Provided food, clothing, medical care, education • “40 acres and a mule” • Failed attempt to redistribute land • The white South resented the bureau • Threatened to upset white racial dominance

11. Drawing of a Freedmen’s Bureau employee between two armed groups

12. IV. Johnson: The Tailor President • Union party Needed a ‘War Democrat’ • Champion of states’ rights and the Constitution • Johnson was a ‘misfit’ • A Southerner who didn’t understand the North • A Tennessean who was distrusted by the South • A Democratic President, not elected to the office

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14. V. Presidential Johnson’s Reconstruction • Majority moderate group (Lincoln) • States should be restored simply and swiftly • Minority radical group (The Wade-Davis Bill) • The South should atone more painfully for its sins • A.J.’s Reconstruction proclamation (May 1865) • Johnson supported 10% governments

15. Table 22-1 p471

16. VI. The Baleful Black Codes • Designed to control emancipated blacks • Had to work for the same employer for 1 year • Blacks not allowed to serve on a jury • Some barred blacks from renting or leasing land • Blacks punished for “idleness” • Nowhere were blacks allowed to vote

17. VII. Congressional Reconstruction • Congress meets in December, 1865 • Republicans had a free hand during the war • ‘Rebel states’ high population, 12 more reps • Republicans had good reason to fear • Southern & Northern Democrats could control Congress

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19. VIII. Johnson Clashes with Congress • Congress ‘overrides Johnson’s veto • Freedmen’s Bureau extension vetoed (Feb 1866) • Civil Rights Bill vetoed • The Fourteenth Amendment • Contained principles of Civil Rights Bill • OK’d by Congress(1866), ratified by states(1868) • States had to approve 14th to be admitted to Union

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21. IX. Swinging ‘Round the Circle with Johnson • The crucial congressional elections of 1866 • Johnson lost support in the North • 1866 congressional elections results • Republicans a 2/3s majority in both houses • “Veto proof Congress”

22. X. Republican Principles and Programs • The Radicals (led by Sumner &Stevens) • Strongly desired racial equality • Opposed rapid restoration of Southern states • The Moderate Republicans • More states’ rights and self-government oriented • Wanted to avoid federal government involvement • Both groups supported black franchise (1867)

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24. XI. Reconstruction by the Sword • The Reconstruction Act (March 2, 1867) • Divided the South into five military districts • Laid stringent condition for readmission • Ratify 14th Amendment, full suffrage for men • Goal of the moderates • Get Southern states back into the Union • Goals Radical Republicans • Fifteenth Amendment (1870) • Military Reconstruction of the South

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27. XII. No Women Voters • One struggle = black freedom/women’s rights • 13th Amendment • Feminist leaders supported • 14th Amendment • Feminist leaders opposed • Used the word male while defining citizenship • 15th Amendment • Feminists wanted the word sex added to the list • Fifty years would pass before the 19th Amendment

28. XIII. The Realities of Radical Reconstruction in the South • Blacks now had freedom, of a sort • Union League • Network of black political clubs for men • Recruited militias to protect black communities • Increased political power • African American women’s roles • Community & church leaders • Scalawags and carpetbaggers • Scalawags, Southerners, former Unionists & Whigs • Carpetbaggers, Northerners seeking power & profit • Radical regimes rule (State Legislatures) • Passes many desirable reforms • Despite achievements corruption ran rampant

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31. XIV. The Ku Klux Klan • Embittered whites raged against “radical” rule • Most notorious—“Invisible Empire of the South” • Ku Klux Klan, used terror against “upstart” Blacks • The goals of white resistance • Undermined attempts to empower blacks politically • Wholesale disfranchisement of blacks in 1890

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33. XV. Johnson Walks the Impeachment Plank • Radicals attempt to remove President Johnson • Tenure of Office Act (1867) • Impeachment • Johnson dismissed (Sec of War) Stanton in 1868 • House voted 126 to 47 to impeach Johnson

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35. XVI. A Not-Guilty Verdict for Johnson • Andrew Johnson impeached by House • Found innocent • Radicals one vote short of 2/3s majority • Seven Republicans senators voted “not guilty”

36. XVII. The Purchase of Alaska (1867) • Russian wanted to sell Alaskan Territory • U.S. wanted to buy Alaska • Russia supported the North during the Civil War • The territory had many resources • $7.2 million was a bargain

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38. XVIII. The Heritage of Reconstruction • Southern Whites saw “Reconstruction” as bad • Upended their social, economic, & racial system • Resented federal intervention in their affairs • The Old South - resurrected not reconstructed • Continued woe for generations of southern blacks

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