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Reconstruction. 1865-1877. I. Different Plans. A. Problems left after the War: 1. What to do with the freedmen? 2. How to treat the southern states? 3. Who should control reconstruction, Congress or the President?. I. Different Plans. B. Lincoln's Plan-"with malice toward none"
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Reconstruction 1865-1877
I. Different Plans A. Problems left after the War: 1. What to do with the freedmen? 2. How to treat the southern states? 3. Who should control reconstruction, Congress or the President?
I. Different Plans B. Lincoln's Plan-"with malice toward none" Lincoln believed that the Southern states had never seceded and the rebellion was the work of individuals. He had proposed: (1) All southerners could be pardoned with an oath of allegiance. (2) When 10 % of voters took the oath, the state could form a legal state government. Known as the 10 Percent Plan
I. Different Plans C. Johnson's Plan Johnson continued Lincoln's plan. He would readmit states that would: (1)declare secession illegal, (2) swear allegiance, (3) promise not to pay Confederate debts, (4) Ratify the 14th Amendment. D. Freedman’s Bureau Formed by U.S. government to aid freed slaves with education, housing, employment, etc. Was largely a failure because of lack of funds, poor organization, and resentment of Southerners.
I. Different Plans E. President vs. Congress Congress passed 2 bills in 1866: 1. Continued the work of the Freedman's Bureau providing food, clothing, shelter, and education for freed slaves. 2. Civil Rights Bill that would forbid states from passing discriminatory laws. -Johnson vetoed both bills, saying that they gave too much power to the federal government, particularly since the southern states had no representation.
I. Different Plans -Southern states adopted black codes-sets of laws that regulated the lives of blacks. -Allowed freedmen to marry, own property, sue, and go to school. -Forbid them from serving on juries, carrying weapons, and testifying against whites.
I. Different Plans E. Radical Republicans Take Over Led by the Radical Senator Thaddeus Stevens,Congress refused to recognize new Southern governments and their delegates. 1. 14th Amendment-passed by Congress, gave blacks citizenship. Congress required each state to ratify it before re-entering the Union. South rejected it. 2. 1866 Election-Republicans gained a 2/3 majority and could now take over.
I. Different Plans 3. First Reconstruction Act-1867 Provisions: 1. South divided into military districts and put under martial law.(except TN) 2. Black males could vote 3. State legislatures must ratify the 14th Amendment.
I. Different Plans F. Impeachment of Johnson 1. Tenure of Office Act in 1867-forbade President from removing government officials from office without the approval of Senate. To test the constitutionality of the law, Johnson fired Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War. 2. Congress charged Johnson with a "high misdemeanor" but the impeachment failed. 3. Results: Weakened the prestige of the presidency and separated the office from Congress.
I. Different Plans G. Election of 1868 Ulysses S. Grant (Rep) elected over Horatio Seymour (Dem) -500,000 Southern blacks had voted and helped the Republicans win. The 15th Amendment was passed shortly afterward, giving all males the right to vote.
II. Radical Reconstruction 1867-1877 A. Dividing Plantations Radicals promised freedmen "40 acres and a mule," but never delivered. Sharecropping and tenant farming developed as plantation owners needed labor and blacks needed work. Gave former slaves some independence. B. Blacks in Government There were more black voters than whites in the South. However, not many blacks were elected to Congress (only 16), and there were no black governors. Hiram Revels (Mississippi)-first black U.S. Senator, elected to the seat once held by Jefferson Davis Hiram Revels
II. Radical Reconstruction 1867-1877 C. Scalawags and Carpetbaggers Scalawags-White Southerners who joined the Republican Party. Seen as traitors. Carpetbaggers-Northerners who moved into the South during Reconstruction.
II. Radical Reconstruction 1867-1877 D. The Whiskey Ring-1875 Taxes on liquor were raised during Reconstruction. Northern distillers dodged these taxes and bribed government officials to look the other way. Many of these distillers were friends and contributors to the Republican Party. When the scandal broke, many believed that the Republican Party was trying to finance itself through illegal liquor sales. Thomas Nast cartoon on the Whiskey Ring
II. Radical Reconstruction 1867-1877 E. Problems with Reconstruction -Segregated school systems developed. -Rebuilding was expensive and Northern investors took advantage of Southern governments and businesses, causing inflation.
II. Radical Reconstruction 1867-1877 F. Opposition to Reconstruction 1. Ku Klux Klan-formed in 1866 as a Confederate veteran group, it quickly developed into an anti- black hate group that committed acts of violence against blacks. The Klan became so violent that its founder, Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former Confederate Cavalry general; tried to disband it. 2. Force Acts-passed by Congress to slow down the acts of violence.
Thomas Nast-Political Cartoons Thomas Nast was a famous cartoonist for Harper’s Weekly. He drew many cartoons that dealt with Reconstruction and other issues in the late 1800’s. Nast is considered the “father” of the political cartoon. Many of his cartoons brought about change in politics or uncovered scandals.
Thomas Nast cartoon from June 30, 1866 contrasting Union and Confederate prisons
Nast cartoon from August 5, 1865 addressing the question of postwar rights
Nast cartoon showing Andrew Johnson’s treatment of the Freedman’s Bureau
One of Nast’s most famous works, there are many famous faces in this scene. Johnson, Grant, Sheridan, Horatio Seymour, George Armstrong Custer, and many more.
Nast cartoon showing the state of things in the South after Reconstruction
III. Reconstruction Ends A. Problems in Radical Reconstruction 1. Many Northerners grew tired of problems in the South 2. Radicals began to lose influence in the Republican Party. 3. Grant's administration was corrupt because of his lack of experience. 4. Depression in 1873 cost him more support.
III. Reconstruction Ends B. Election of 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep) against Samuel J. Tilden (Dem) -Democrats expected to win as their party strengthened and the Republicans weakened. -Tilden initially won 184 electoral votes to Hayes 165. He also won the popular vote. -20 votes were disputed, 19 of those from 3 Southern states.
III. Reconstruction Ends -House Committee of 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats voted 8-7 for Hayes. -Concessions given to the South: 1. federal funds for internal improvements 2. Southerners in cabinet positions 3. Withdrawal of federal troops -This deal, known as the Compromise of 1877, essentially ends Reconstruction in the South.
IV. Effects of Reconstruction A. White Supremacy is maintained in the South 1. Poll taxes and literacy tests were used to keep many blacks from voting 2. Grandfather clause allowed poor, illiterate whites to vote anyway. 3. Jim Crow Laws-created a segregated society in the South.
IV. Effects of Reconstruction B. Equality is never achieved Radicals thought the vote would allow blacks to protect themselves in the South. It was not enough. C. The Solid South is reborn The Southern States would vote together in national elections and seem to stand together as one unit even today.