Reconstruction: The rebuilding of the Union after the Civil
War until 1877.
What happens to freedmen?
How do you reintegrate the Southern States into the Union?
The dispute: Both Presidents Lincoln and Johnson favored a lenient approach to reconstruction. It was their belief that the nation could be best served by leaving the brutality of the Civil War behind quickly. Radical Republicans, led by Thadeaus Stevens, argued that the South should be punished for starting the Civil War. Eventually, the dispute would lead to an attempt to impeach and remove President Johnson. Although the official reason for the impeachment of Johnson was his violation of the Tenure of Office Act, the underlying reason was Congress' disagreement with Johnson over Reconstruction. Although Johnson was impeached by the House, the Senate fell just short of convicting and removing him.
|Lincoln And Johnson's Plans for Reconstruction||Radical Republicans' Plans|
"With malice toward none, with charity for all" Lincoln
Both Lincoln and Johnson supported lenient plans for Reconstruction.
10% Plan (Lincoln): Once ten percent of a southern state's 1860 voters had taken an oath of loyalty, the state could rejoin the Union.
Both Lincoln and Johnson provided for a generous amnesty to allow Southerners to retain their property and reacquire their political rights.
Johnson supported the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery but was reluctant to support Black suffrage believing this was an issue for states.
"Congress alone can do it... Congress must create states and declare whether they are to be represented." -- Thadeus Stevens
Believed the South should be punished for starting the war and hoped to protect the rights of Freedmen (former slaves).
Extended the Freedmen's Bureau (Over Johnson's Veto) to provide food, clothing, shelter, and education to freedmen and war refugees.
Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Passed over Johnson's Veto) designed to grant freedmen full legal equality, undercutting the Black Codes
Reconstruction Act of 1867 (Passed over Johnson's Veto)
Failures under Lincoln and Johnson:
Black Codes: Many states passed laws restricting the rights of freedmen
Little attempt was made to address the economic hardships facing freedmen
Southern States admitted under Lincoln/Johnson plan refused to ratify 14th Amendment
These failures contributed to growing support for Radical Republicans
13th:Amendment: Abolished Slavery
15th Amendment: The right to vote shall not be denied on the basis of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude"