The End of the War & Reconstruction

1. Chapter 11-12 How did the Various reconstruction plans succeed or fail? What was the overall effect of the War on the American People? The End of the War & Reconstruction

2. 13th Amendment • As the War began to look dismal for the Confederates they met with Lincoln to discuss peace negotiations • The discussions broke down because Congress with the Support of Lincoln proposed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution • Slavery would be abolished in the United States • The South refused to accept a future without slavery • The Amendment was passed in December of 1865

3. Lee’s Surrender • In March of 1865 Grant laid siege to Petersburg • Starving them of supplies and reinforcements • Lee ordered a retreat of Petersburg in Late March and headed North to meet troops in North Carolina • After struggling with Union forces Lee Surrendered on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House

4. Lincoln’s Assassination • April 14, 1865 Lincoln was shot while attending a play at Ford Theater • John Wilkes Booth shot him in order to give the South time to regroup and carry on the war effort • Booth was shot and killed during the manhunt for him • 4 others were captured and hanged for their part in the plan

5. Lasting Impact • 600,000 Americans died • Economic boom continued in the North • Land Grant College Act provided money to build universities to instruct people in agriculture and mechanical arts • The South was slow to recover following the devastation its cities and railroads took • National Government gained more control over states • People began to see themselves as part of a nation not just a state.

6. Reunifying the Nation • Prior to his assassination Lincoln wanted the Union to be reunited • 10% Plan • 10% of states registered voters had to swear allegiance to the Union • State would set up a new government • State’s constitution had to abolish slavery & provide education to African Americans • State would regain representation in Congress • Lincoln was also willing to grant pardons to Confederates and compensate them for lost property

7. Opposition • Radical Republicans thought Lincoln was too soft on the Confederates • They advocated full rights and voting privileges to freedman • Wanted to take Confederate lands and give them to freedman • Opposed the 10% plan and passed the Wade Davis Bill • Required majority of voters to swear loyalty to union • Required guarantee of black equality • Lincoln Vetoed the bill

8. Freedman’s Bureau • A few weeks before Lincoln’s Death he created the Freedman’s Bureau • Designed to reunite families that had been separated by slavery and war • Negotiated fair labor contracts between former slaves and white land owners • Represented African Americans in the courts

9. Johnson’s Plan • Required all states to ratify 13th amendment • Offered pardons to any confederate that personally wrote to him and swore allegiance to the Union • Johnson had no sympathy for African American’s despite his requirement for the ratification of the 13th amendment • He supported States rights • Due to this Black Codes were introduced in the South • Laws that limited the rights of African Americans

10. Legislature vs. Executive • Congress was angry that the South introduced black codes and continued in prewar activities • Refused them their seats upon arrival to Congress • Passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 • Created federal guarantees of civil rights for African Americans in the South • Johnson vetoed this measure • For the first time Ever Congress overrode the veto and passed the Civil Rights Act

11. Congress Plan • Fourteenth Amendment- Guaranteed equality under the law for all citizens despite race • Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 • Divided the Southern States that had not been readmitted into military districts • Governed by Union Generals • Directed how the states would create their new governments and gain re-entry to the union

12. Johnson’s Impeachment • Congress had passed the Tenure of Office Act which forced the President to gain Senate approval to fire officials from office • Johnson tried to fire the Secretary of War without permission • Congress filed charges of impeachment • Failed to impeach Johnson • But showed the checks and balances did work

13. 15th Amendment • Following the Election of 1868 Republican Leaders felt that by securing the African American vote they would be able to remain in power • In 1869 they passed the 15th Amendment • Forbid any state from denying suffrage on the grounds of race, color, or previous condition of servitude • Ratified with the 14th amendment in 1870

14. African American Power • Following the War some African American’s earned positions of power • Sheriffs, School superintendents, mayors, senators, and congressmen • These men ushered in the Republican party to the south • Welcomed men otherwise not welcome in politics prior to the civil war

15. Carpetbaggers • Northerners came to the devastated south seeking to build fortunes • They would buy large plots of land and begin farming the land for cotton • Often would invest in industry or railroad construction • Many carpetbaggers would gain political importance as well • Often were resented by southerners

16. Freedmen Communities • African Americans could for the first time celebrate and legalize marriage • Developed churches, schools, and social communities • Discrimination often limited them to certain areas of cities and jobs • Schools were also segregated in the south leading to literacy problems due to the cost of developing 2 school systems

17. Southern Economy • Remained agrarian based • Many southerners choose one of the 3 • Sharecropping • Land owner picked a crop, provided seeds and tools and allowed farmer to live on his land as long as he got a portion of the crop • Share-tenancy • Famer picked his own crop and bought his own tools • Had more control over his crops • Tenant farming • Farmer paid rent to land owner • Only useful to those with money management skills

18. Ku Klux Klan • Many White southerners were disgruntled at the success African Americans were having once they were free • Many formed groups set on terrorizing Africans into subservient roles • Rode in white robes through towns and woods burning churches and schools • Blacks were often murdered

19. Enforcement Acts • Following the passage of the 15th Amendment racial violence worsened in the south • Congress passed the Enforcement Acts • Made it a federal offence to interfere with a citizens right to vote • Invited black politicians to tell Congress of the hostility faced by African Americans • 1,000’s of Ku Klux Klan members were indicated on charges

20. End of Reconstruction • Northern support Died off: • Other issues such as politics, and the economy drew their attention away from Reconstruction efforts • Military spending was too much • Southern whites gained power • KKK • Black Codes • Radical Republicans lose power in Congress