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Life for newly freed African Americans during Reconstruction was a complex struggle for rights and equality. While President Lincoln and his successor Johnson shared goals for a unified nation, their visions excluded civil rights for African Americans beyond mere freedom. Johnson's prejudices hindered progress, favoring white supremacy in governance, while moderate Republicans sought to restore Southern states with limited civil rights for Blacks. Radical Republicans emerged, supporting the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which aimed to secure freedom, citizenship, and voting rights for African Americans, aligning with broader democratic ideals.
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Warm-up: • Answer in brief paragraph: • What was life like for the newly freed African Americans?
Political Parties • Lincoln was a Republican and Johnson was a Democrat, but chosen as running mate (vice-president) because he was a Union sympathizer • Johnson favored a government controlled by white citizens and was very prejudice against African Americans • Often refused to compromise • Did not believe in civil rights for Afr. Americans
Presidential Reconstruction • Lincoln and Johnson both wanted basically the same thing: • None of which included rights for African Americans other than freedom • Show kindness and charity to Confederate states and get the Union moving forward
Political Parties in Congress • Most Republicans in Congress were moderates • Wanted to restore Southern states to the Union • Keep former Confederates out of government • Give southern African Americans some civil equalities but not the vote (which many Northerners agreed with) • Race riots in Memphis and New Orleans pulled congressional republicans together • 1866 elections saw many Northerners voting in “radical” republicans • Knew strong enforcement was required to make Reconstruction a success and knew Johnson would not cooperate
Congressional Reconstruction • Wanted African Americans to have rights • Northern voters sympathized with the Radicals • Radical Republicans believed Presidential Reconstruction was a threat to Congressional authority • Johnson vetoed 29 bills passed by Congress • Congress overrode 15 of his vetoes
Advancing Democracy Ideals & Institutions • 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments part of program to ensure civil rights for African Americans • Freedom, Citizenship and Voting for African Americans advance American ideals of democracy • Women also fought for voting rights during Reconstruction but were still unsuccessful.
