Reconstruction: The Unknown Revolution

1. Reconstruction: The Unknown Revolution

2. Did the period of Reconstruction constitute a revolution in Americanpolitics? Keep in mind the following definition of revolution as we review Reconstruction: • an overthrow or repudiation, the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people • a radical and pervasive change in society and social structure

3. Political Changes in the North • Republican majorities in Congress pursued pro-business legislation and economic stimulation in the North and West. • Pro-Business efforts legislation focused on federal support for internal improvements, National Bank, and protective tariffs • Economic stimulation in the West included: • The Morrill Tariff Act (1861) • The Homestead Act (1862) • The Morrill Land Grant Act (1862) • These economic efforts created a loyal GOP constituency. (There will be only two democratic presidents between 1865-1920)

4. Factions within the GOP Radical Republicans: • moral/reform minded • many former abolitionists • antebellum reformers • strong advocates of federal authority Conservative Republicans: • focus on economic opportunities and development • pro-business • more economic than socially minded *Both agree that the protection of Black civil rights is essential to justify the war.

5. Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction Johnson’s Plan called for: • pardons for ex-Confederates who took a loyalty oath • the appointment of provisional governors who would est. new loyal governments • abolish slavery • refusal to pay the CSA debt *Gave them considerable local control. The problem with Johnson’s Plan: • Many of those elected to the new “loyal” govts. were former high ranking Confederates • Black Codes were passed across the South *Appeared that the South was unwilling to accept defeat and the reality of emancipation. **Wasn’t quite the “social revolution that Radicals had envisioned.

6. Radicals saw Reconstruction as an Opportunity Radical Ideas: • Union victory = opportunity for equal rights for all Americans • Embraced the expanded power of the federal government • favored a redistribution of wealth in the South Opposition from Moderate and Conservative Republicans: • over concerns about protecting private property *Radicals were not the majority. **Radicals & Moderates worked together to pass: • an extension of the Freedman’s Bureau • the Civil Rights Act (1866), which provided for equality for all before law

7. The 14th Amendment: Radical? Why was the 14th Amendment so radical? Established the principle of citizenship for all Americans and empowered the federal government to protect their rights as citizens. Changed the role of the federal government: • 14th Amendment prohibited the states from abridging/denying their rights of equal protection • tasked the federal government with guaranteeing these rights

9. Radical Reconstruction (1867-77) Motivation: • Johnson’s racism • Race riots & Black Codes • failure of the South to ratify the 14th Amendment • demands for Black suffrage • growing GOP support in the South • desire to disenfranchise southern elite • mid-term elections in 1866 Republicans control 2/3 of Congress Radical Reconstruction: Reconstruction Act (1867) • created 5 military districts in the South w/military governors • Created new state governments • New state constitutions with universal suffrage • Had to be approved by a majority of voters • Required to ratify the 14th Amendment *Required Blacks to vote and provided opportunity for Blacks to be elected. **By 1870, all southern states had been readmitted to the union and all were under Republican control.

10. Radical Reconstruction: The Final Step The Reconstruction Act 15th Amendment • ultimate repudiation of the old southern system • established a Republican constituency in the South • disenfranchised ex-Confederate officials

11. The Impeachment of Johnson Motivation to impeach the president: • Johnson’s hostility to Congressional Reconstruction • Congress’s use of the Army to carry out the provisions of Reconstruction Charges against Johnson: • violating the Tenure of Office Act • violating the Command of the Army Act Results: • Johnson was impeached but not removed from office • Majority of Republicans feared damaging the separation of powers if Johnson was removed • Impeachment severely weakened the Radical Republicans

12. Grant as President Grant’s 1868 victory slim victory revealed • that over 700,000 freedmen had voted for him • he did not receive a majority of the white vote *could not have won without the Black vote. **as a result, the 15th Amendment was submitted to the states and would not have been ratified had it not been for the support of Republican controlled southern states.

13. Why did Reconstruction end in 1877? • Leading Radical Republicans were either dead or no longer in office. • North’s job was done - Blacks were citizens and could vote…it’s a southern problem now. • Widespread corruption during the Grant administration caused many to reevaluate the size and role of the federal government. • Many new Republicans were the products of the Spoils System and benefitted from ties to immigrants/workers. • Reconstruction fatigue in the North from: political corruption in the South, negro govt mismanagement, costs – esp. after the Panic of 1873, and widespread racism. • The Supreme Court began to strike down aspects of Reconstruction. • Opposition in the South: need for a reliable/compliant work force, traditional white elite, racism, corruption concerns, rising taxes • The Compromise of 1877, which elected Republican Rutherford B. Hayes