Introduction to Reconstruction

1. Introduction to Reconstruction What is Reconstruction? What does it mean to reconstruct?  • Webster’s definition of Reconstruction – “to rebuild again and make whole what has become two or more parts.” What needs to be rebuilt again? • Southern Economy • Southern state governments • Southern social structure • Total reconstruction, North and South, of attitudes towards civil rights. Timeline: Reconstruction begins in 1863 after the Emancipation Proclamation and ends in 1877 when the federal government, officially tired of the whole process left the South, and African Americans were left to fend for themselves against their former white masters. • Three types of Attitudes that would fight for control of Reconstruction: • Radical: seeking to make drastic reforms in society as it is • Moderate: not holding extreme views – in the middle of political issues, between radicals and conservatives. • Conservative: desiring to preserve existing institutions; opposed to any radical changes

2. Plans for Reconstruction

3. Lincoln/Moderate • pardon to all supporters of Confederacy, except high-ranking officials, who took oath of loyalty and pledged to accept end of slavery • when 10% of voters took the oath, that state could establish a state government and apply for readmission to Union  • each state had to abolish slavery in their state constitutions • he offered former slaves no role in shaping the South’s political future • lenient so as to attract Southern support for Union cause • endorsed limited black suffrage if educated or held a “good” job

4. Radical Republicans • federal government’s responsibility to protect rights of former slaves. • many demanded full voting rights for former slaves • some favored giving former slaves land • wanted to get rid of racism • wanted them to have the right to vote so that they, the Republicans, could stay in power. • helped pass the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery • Wade-Davis Bill – at least half of an ex-Confederate state had to pledge loyalty

5. Reconstruction Civil War ended April 9, 1865 5 days later John Wilkes Booth (a pro – confederate) shot Lincoln. Lincoln died the next morning. Andrew Johnson became president. from the South, but pro Union. Intolerant of criticism, unable to compromise Racist views Believed African Americans hold no role in Reconstruction. He felt they should return to their owners. Former slaves organized meetings and campaigned against the lack of civil rights under Johnson. Republican majority agreed. His plan ignored former slaves High-ranking Confederate soldiers won seats in Congress. Johnson pardoned many wealthy Southerners

6. Black Codes – Laws attempting to regulate the lives of former slaves Blacks could: Own property enter into legal marriages sue and be sued in court Blacks could not: Testify against white people serve in a jury or state militia vote Former slaves were required to possess written evidence of employment Some states allowed for black youth to be assigned as an apprentice without parental consent

7. Congress reconvened – December Johnson says reconstruction complete! Since all Southern states had established governments Radicals disagreed – said these states were under the control of Rebels Thought new governments should be established and that blacks should be given the right to vote.

8. Radicals and Moderates joined together. They refused to seat the newly elected Southern representatives Established a joint committee to investigate the progress of Reconstruction. Early 1866- Senator Lyman Trumball proposed 2 bills 1. extend the life of the Freedmans Bureau – agency empowered to protect legal rights of former slaves, provide for their education and medical care. 2. Civil Rights Act of 1866 – defined all persons born in the U.S. (except Indians) as national citizens > spelled out the rights they were to enjoy without regard to race. This left the new Southern governments in place but required them to give Black Southerners the same legal rights as White Southerners excluding the right to vote. Both bills passed through congress Johnson vetoed both bills – claiming they threatened to centralize power in the National government and deprive the states to handle their own affairs.

9. In April Congress overrode the President and passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 • 1st major law in America History to pass over president veto • marked a major change in status for African Americans • fearing future congress repealing the Act – they approved and sent to the states the 14th Amendment – Civil Rights in the States.

10. Congress then demanded the Southern States to ratify the 14th Amendment to regain their seats in the House and Senate Johnson denounced that proposal 10 out of 11 Southern States rejected the 14th Amendment – only Tennessee ratified it Congress began its own plan of Reconstruction March 1867 – Reconstruction Acts Divided the South into 5 military districts • Each state had to hold a constitutional convention with black and white represented • Former Confederate officials could neither vote nor serve as delegates • New constitutions had to be ratified that did not restrict the right to vote because of race • Had to ratify the 14th Amendment After completion States could be readmitted to the Union.

11. 1867 – Congress enacted the Tenure of Office Act barred the President from removing office holders, including members of his cabinet without the consent of the Senate Johnson felt this was an unconstitutional restriction on his authority – so he removed Secretary of War Edwin Staton Moderates and Radicals in the House – voted to impeach Trial took place spring of 1868 – 1st time a pres had actually been put on trial. 35-19 to convict > one vote short of 2/3 majority

12. Election of 1868 Republican – Ulysses S. Grant platform = “waving the bloody shirt” Democrat – Horatio Seymore platform = denounced reconstruction as unconstitutional. Grant won Congress approved the 15th Amendment – prohibiting any state from limiting the right to vote because of race. Ratified in 1870.