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The Reconstruction Era 1863-1877

The Reconstruction Era 1863-1877. Key Topic 3- Civil War and Reconstruction 1861-77. Reconstruction (1865-1877)– def. – period during which the United States began to rebuild after the Civil War and included the process by which the federal government readmitted former Confederate states.

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The Reconstruction Era 1863-1877

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  1. The Reconstruction Era 1863-1877 Key Topic 3- Civil War and Reconstruction 1861-77 Reconstruction (1865-1877)– def. – period during which the United States began to rebuild after the Civil War and included the process by which the federal government readmitted former Confederate states Starter- write a definition of Reconstruction Era in your own words. From the video define the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments. Extension- watch the video and explain the key points of Reconstruction http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/reconstruction

  2. Key words/concepts • Freedmen's Bureau: The Freedmen’s Bureau was established to help poor blacks and whites in the South. The Freedmen’s Bureau established schools in the South. Laws against educating slaves during the Civil War meant that most ex-slaves did not know how to read and write. • Presidential Reconstruction 1863-65:Johnson took over as President after Lincolns assassination and took a lenient approach to dealing with the South. He didn’t support equal rights and did nothing to stop Black codes that were limiting black freedom in the South. • Radical Reconstruction 1866-70:The Radical Republicans wanted the South to change more before they could be readmitted to the Union. Also against Black codes and felt Lincoln/Johnson didn’t do enough. Lincolns assassination spurred them to take more action towards the South. • Post 1870 Reconstruction: In 1870 the 15th Amendment became law. The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. The South were still unwilling to integrate black people (Jim Crow Laws established). By 1877 there were improved rights for Black African Americans but many issues were still left unresolved or fully put in place e.g. voting.

  3. The South is destroyed • The Civil War ended April 9, 1865. • Most of the land in the South was destroyed by the Civil War. The South would need to be rebuilt. • This rebuilding of the South was called Reconstruction.

  4. Reconstruction Plan • President Lincoln wanted to reunite the nation as quickly as possible. • Any southern state with at least 10% of its voters making a pledge to be loyal to the U.S. could be readmitted to the Union. • The South also had to accept a ban on slavery.

  5. Key Questions 4. What branchof governmentshould controlthe process ofReconstruction? 1. How do webring the Southback into the Union? 3. How do weintegrate andprotect newly-emancipatedblack freedmen? 2. How do we rebuild the South after itsdestruction during the war?

  6. How did the South try to limit black integration after the EP Act of 1863? How did the South limit progress of Black people post EP

  7. The Black Codes • The Black Codes were laws passed by Southern states that limited the new-found freedom of African Americans. • Black Codes forced African Americans to work on farms or as servants. They also prevented African Americans from owning guns, holding public meetings, or renting property in cities. • The Black Codes angered many Republicans in Congress who felt the South was returning to its old ways.

  8. Voting Rights • Other laws were passed to keep blacks from voting. • One law said former slaves had to pay a tax to vote. It was called a poll tax. • Another law was passed that said a person could only vote if their grandfather had voted. These laws were called the Grandfather Clause.

  9. Complete the table using the information from the slides and also add to it using page 66-67 of your hand-out (full page landscaped)

  10. Presidential Reconstruction • Offered amnesty upon simple oath to all except Confederate civil and military officers and those with property over $20,000 (they could apply directly to Johnson) • In new constitutions, they must accept minimumconditions repudiating slavery, secession and state debts. • Named provisional governors in Confederate states and called them to oversee elections for constitutional conventions. • Many Southern state constitutions fell short of minimum requirements • Johnson granted 13,500 special pardons. Led to the revival of Black Codes 1. Disenfranchised certain leading Confederates. EFFECTS? 2. Pardoned planter aristocrats brought them back to political power to control state organizations. 3. Republicans were outraged that planter elite were back in power in the South!

  11. Radical Reconstruction • Some wanted racial equality and greater punishment for Southern leaders. Congress passed the 14th amendment as a tougher approach to dealing with the South as many Republicans didn’t agree with Johnson and so allied with radicals. • Radical plan for readmission- Civil authorities in the territories were subject to military supervision. • Required new state constitutions, includingblack suffrage and ratification of the 13th and 14th Amendments. • In March, 1867, Congress passed an act that authorized the military to enroll eligible black voters and begin the process of constitution making. Two reconstruction acts passed (see next page) • Radical Reconstruction was a period of hope and idealism for many. They believed equality could be achieved.

  12. Reconstruction acts of 1867 • Command of the Army Act • The President must issue all Reconstruction orders through the commander of the military. • Tenure of Office Act • The President could not remove any officials [esp. Cabinet members] without the Senate’s consent, if the position originally required Senate approval. • Designed to protect radicalmembers of Lincoln’s government. • A question of the constitutionality of this law.

  13. Post 1870 Reconstruction (use page 67 also) • 15th Amendment 1870- Ratified in 1870. • The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. • The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. • Women’s rights groups were furious that they were not granted the vote! • The Failure of Federal Enforcement; Jim Crow Laws and development and growth of the KKK. Enforcement Acts of 1870 & 1871 [also known as the KKK Act]. • The Civil Rights Act of 1875 • Crime for any individual to deny full &equal use of public conveyances andpublic places. • Prohibited discrimination in jury selection. • Shortcoming lacked a strong enforcement mechanism. • No new civil rights act was attemptedfor 90 years!

  14. Progress vs. lack of progress? • What arguments can we make for both sides? • ‘How far’ was the Reconstruction Era a success? What was the situation by 1877? • Lets read the box at the end of Page 66 to help us

  15. Key Questions 4. What branchof governmentshould controlthe process ofReconstruction? 1. How do webring the Southback into the Union? 3. How do weintegrate andprotect newly-emancipatedblack freedmen? 2. How do we rebuild the South after itsdestruction during the war?

  16. Plenary- exam question Q2. Write a summary analysing the different stages of Reconstruction. Give examples to support your answer. (9 marks)

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