Notes 9 Johnson and the Radical Republicans Andrew

Notes # 9 Johnson and the Radical Republicans

Andrew Johnson 17 th President of the U. S. • Before Vice-President, was war time governor of Tennessee. • Though a Democrat and a southerner, he was against the idea of secession and remained loyal to the Union. • One of the main reasons why Lincoln, a Republican, chose him as his Vice-President was to unify the country. • (i. e. , A northern Republican and a Southern Democrat working together. )

Johnson’s Plan • Johnson’s plan was very lenient (forgiving). • Unlike Lincoln’s view, Johnson did not believe that African Americans should vote. He did require the following; • Anyone who pledged loyalty to the Union received a Presidential Pardon. • It is by this leniency that many ex-Confederate leaders managed to return to power, this allowed the rise of several subversive acts against the Union and African Americans, like the KKK and Jim Crow Laws. • Though states did not have to give African Americans voting Rights, the states had to free there slaves. • Though Johnson wanted the African Americans to be free, he neither wanted them to vote, and on several occasions believed that African Americans should leave the country. • Johnson also gave back property that had been confiscated during the war.

Radical Republican’s and their Plan for Reconstruction. • The Republican Party was divided in two. • There were the moderates (not so fanatical) who believed in Lincoln’s Plan for Reconstruction, and as so, did not argue to much about Johnson’s plan. • Then there were the radicals, many of whom were ardent (strong) abolitionists and war hawks (people who were strong supporters of war, especially for punishing the south. )

Radical Republican Plan • The Radicals sought revenge from the south, to punish not only years of slavery, but for seceding which led to America’s bloodiest war. • They also wanted to ensure that African Americans would become equals in society. • This will lead, as we will see, to African Americans not only being freed, but African American males being able to vote as well. • It will also lead to the Freedman’s Bureau, which will try to equalize the freed slave (Freedman).

Radical Republican Plan • Unlike Lincoln and Johnson, the Radicals wanted a majority of each state’s population to swear loyalty to the Union. • The Radicals also wanted to ensure that the Republican Party stayed in power. • If African Americans could vote, then they would surely remain loyal to the party that freed them. • Also, under Radical Reconstruction, ex- Confederate leaders could never again hold any political office or other leadership position.

Who wins? • After the Civil War, a new political war erupted. Both Johnson and his supporters fought against the Radicals and their supporters to see which sides plan would prevail. • In the end, both sides had some victories as we will learn. But the question for you right now, what parts of each plan actually made it? • With a partner, discuss both plans, and try and combine them into just 1 plan that you think actually happened. Write this plan on a piece of paper with all group member names and turn it in. Before the break we will find out what actually happened.