Reconstruction

Putting the pieces back together
How doe we readmit the South?
-Amnesty? Punishment? A combination of both?

The death of Lincoln and the rise of dissention and confusion

The Freedman Issue
-The 14th, 15,th, 16th Amendments and trying to make this work in the South

The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan and other impediments to the progress of free blacks

Reconstruction abandoned
-Finally realizing that this wouldn’t work yet…

Remember
Impacts of the war on the North
- 360,000 dead
- Economic modernization (keep this in mind…)
- Stronger banking system
- Government power asserted
Impacts of the war on the South
- 260,000 dead
- 60% of wealth lost
- Loss of livelihood (slaves, plantations, etc.)
New concept to Americans: winning a war but terrified of how the victory will play out…

Reconstruction Scenarios
Lincoln’s Initial Southern readmission plan called for a policy of amnesty
- 1863: 10% of southern voters have to pledge allegiance to the Union
- Confederate leaders have to apply for a presidential pardon

Soon to be President Andrew Johnson favors a more militant approach

Radical Republicans (the minority) favor black suffrage

Wade-Davis Bill: each Southern state ruled by a military governor with 50% of voters pledging allegiance to te Union
- Pocket vetoed by Lincoln

Johnson’s Plan
Tennessean Andrew Johnson favors a more millitant plan

Wants to abolish the planter aristocracy of the South

Proposes that all Southerners proclaim allegiance and all of their property would be restored
- States have to proclaim secession illegal ind ratify the 13th Amendment
- Also disqualifies rich whites from this process much like Lincoln disqualified Southern leaders

Hands out 13,000 presidential pardons to the rich and leaders

End 1865: 7 states now restored
- But black suffrage remained untouched

“Black Codes”
Under the 13th Amendment, freedmen guaranteed civil rights, but black codes restricted certain behavior
- Segregation, interracial marriage, court testimonies

Freedmen’s Bureau established to ensure fair entry of freedmen into Southern society

Congressional convention in 1865 refuses to seat ex –Confederate representatives

Thus, Joint Committee on Reconstruction established to oversee this process more efficiently…

Congress vs. Johnson
Radical and Conservative Republicans, Northern Democrats quickly turn their backs on Johnson

Johnson vetoes renewal of the Freedman’s Bureau (which would invalidate the black codes and assist in freedman success but is overidden by Congress)

Also vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (overridden by Congress)
- Asserts that bills are invalid because ex-Confederates couldn’t vote!

United Republicans move onto the next step: a constitutional amendment that prevents the Supreme Court from invalidating the Civil Rights Act

The 14th Amendment

All people born in the US are citizens- regardless of skin color
- nullifies Dred Scott decision

Also, disqualifies ex- Confederate leaders from pardons, except by a 2/3 vote of Congress

Johnson sets out on his “swing around the circle” to gain popular support

Republicans now firmly in charge of Reconstruction “business”

Reconstruction Act of 1867
Ex Confederate States (besides TN) divided into 5 military districts (temporarily…)

All states must elect a delegation to write a new state constitutions that includes black suffrage

After Congressional approval of constitution, state may be readmitted

Johnson thwarts bill (as best as he can…) by replacing “radical” Union generals with more conservative ones…
-Tenure of Office Act passed to limit this action…