Reconstruction Americas Second Civil War Themes of Reconstruction

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Reconstruction America’s Second Civil War

Reconstruction America’s Second Civil War

Themes of Reconstruction 1. Changing power allocation between Congress and the President � Who

Themes of Reconstruction 1. Changing power allocation between Congress and the President � Who should be in charge of Reconstruction? Changing relationship between the federal government and the states 3. Incorporation of freedmen into society 2.

Destruction of South �Problems in the South � Land in ruin � Labor shortage

Destruction of South �Problems in the South � Land in ruin � Labor shortage � 1/5 of white farmers dead �Freedman demanded shorter work days and demanded payment of wages �Children are now going to school �Women choose to stay home and domesticate �Sharecropping

Implementation of Emancipation �“I believed that these people were content, happy, and attached to

Implementation of Emancipation �“I believed that these people were content, happy, and attached to their masters…. ” – A. L. Taveau, S. C. rice planter �What did Freedmen do to establish their freedom and independence?

Race Relations � Southerners were “virulently vindictive against a property that had escaped from

Race Relations � Southerners were “virulently vindictive against a property that had escaped from their control” � Southern belief that: � Slavery was a response to racial inferiority, not the cause � Slavery kept “primitive instincts” in check � Now The “breaking of the neck of the negro is nobody’s loss” � Page 53 of Reconstruction

How to Reconstruct? �Phase 1: Wartime Reconstruction – 1863 - 1865 � Lincoln’s 10

How to Reconstruct? �Phase 1: Wartime Reconstruction – 1863 - 1865 � Lincoln’s 10 Percent Plan �Full pardons and restoration of rights once oath was taken. � 10% pledge allegiance and recognize abolition �Wartime strategy - not meant to be comprehensive � Special Field Order No. 15 or “ 40 Acres and a mule”

Freedman’s Bureau

Freedman’s Bureau

President Johnson �Phase 2: Presidential Reconstruction – 1865 - 1867 � No Congressional approval

President Johnson �Phase 2: Presidential Reconstruction – 1865 - 1867 � No Congressional approval � Governors appointed by Johnson � Only loyal whites could vote in new state governments � Pardons for high-ranking ex-Confederates and wealthy planters (with few exceptions) � Rescinds 40 acre policies � Ratification of 13 th Amendment � Announces reunification in Dec. 1865

Black Codes � Crimes of the “free negro”: � Mischief, insulting gestures, cruel treatment

Black Codes � Crimes of the “free negro”: � Mischief, insulting gestures, cruel treatment to animals, distributing alcohol, firearms, cohabitating with whites � Intermarriage = life term in state penitentiary � Prohibited from: � Testifying against a white person, voting, serving on juries or state militias � Vagrancy Act � Written proof of employment or fined $50 � Hired to any white man if fine not paid � Fine deducted from wages � Goal? ? ?

Phase 3: Radical Reconstruction – 1867 - 1877 � Radical Republicans win 2/3 majority

Phase 3: Radical Reconstruction – 1867 - 1877 � Radical Republicans win 2/3 majority in both chambers (1866) � View of the South as conquered territory. � Civil Rights Bill of 1866 � Register black voters � The Reconstruction Act of 1867 � 5 military districts with martial law � No ex-Confederates in Congress � New state Constitutions � Universal male suffrage � State-wide public schools for both races � 14 th Amendment � 15 th Amendment

Johnson fights back �Vetoes expansion of Freedman’s Bureau, Civil Rights Bill of 1866, Reconstruction

Johnson fights back �Vetoes expansion of Freedman’s Bureau, Civil Rights Bill of 1866, Reconstruction Act �Instructs Southern whites to obstruct black voter registration �Impeachment � House impeaches 12 to 47, Senate could not convict �Grant elected in 1868

Southern Backlash � Ku Klux Klan �“protect whites from radical ex-slaves” by destroying Republican

Southern Backlash � Ku Klux Klan �“protect whites from radical ex-slaves” by destroying Republican Party (leaders and supporters) �KKK Acts and Enforcement Acts

The Decline of Reconstruction cont. �The Midterm election in 1874 and Redeemer Movement �Northerners

The Decline of Reconstruction cont. �The Midterm election in 1874 and Redeemer Movement �Northerners tire of “Southern problem” �The Election of 1876 �The Compromise of 1877