Reconstruction The rebuilding of the United States after
Reconstruction The rebuilding of the United States after the Civil War
EFFECTS OF CIVIL WAR • Human toll of the Civil War: The North lost 364, 000 soldiers. The South lost 260, 000 soldiers. • creation of a single unified country • abolition of slavery • increased power to fed. gov't – killed the issue of states rights • U. S. now an industrial nation • a stronger sense of nationalism • w. lands increasingly opened to settlement • South was economically and physically devastated, w/ the plantation system crippled… • a deep hatred of the North remained. . .
Reconstruction • South lay in ruins • What? Created a plan that would repair the damage to the South and restore the southern states to the Union. • When? 1865 to 1877 • By Who? The federal government will carry it out
The struggles in the South By the end of the Civil War… • Black Southerners began lives as newly freedmen in a poor region with slow economic activity. • Plantation owners lost slave labor worth $3 billion. • Poor white Southerners: job competition due to newly freedmen. • Economy: war had destroyed 2/3 of South’s shipping industry + 9, 000 miles of railroad.
The Problem/Dilemma • What Now?
Big Questions Left to Answer 1. How and when should southern states be allowed to resume their role in the Union? – Should they be pardoned or punished? 2. Now that black southerners were free would they have equal rights? – If so, How would these rights be protected?
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction ty s e n Am rdon pa o t = • 1863 he issued the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction – His policy on how he would deal with the South and reunite the once united states – This was called his “ 10 Percent Plan”
How do you think he hoped the N and S would react to this proclamation? • North: gather support • South: Confederates would surrender
Reconstruction Plans Lincoln’s 10% Plan • A southern state could be readmitted into the Union once 10 percent of its voters swore an oath of allegiance – Voters then could elect delegates to revise the state constitution
Reconstruction Plans Lincoln’s 10% Plan • Offered a pardon (an official forgiveness of a crime) to any Confederate, who would take an oath of allegiance to the Union and accept federal policy on slavery. – He would protect their property, except slaves – He DID NOT PARDON high-ranking Confederate army officers and government officials • DOES NOT FOCUS ON CIVIL LIBERITIES FOR NEWLY FREEDMEN • (please add to ppt)
Lincoln’s plan was forgiving • In Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address March, 1865, he said the following: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in, . . . to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. ”
Congress’s Reaction to Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan • Moderate Republicans agreed at first! • Radical Republicans: – Lincoln was too easy on the south – saw it as a threat to their Congressional Authority. • It’s Congress’s job to make laws, not the president’s! Lincoln “should confine himself to his executive duties—to obey and execute, not make the laws…and leave political reorganization to Congress. ”
Radical Republicans emerge with a NEW PLAN! • Radical Republican Party believed Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan because was too lenient and the south needed to be punished • They wanted to… – Redistribute land – Develop industry – Guarantee civil rights to former slaves • Although a minority in Congress, they swayed many moderate republicans
Thaddeus Stevens: Leading radical in the House Charles Sumner: Leading radical in the Senate
The Radical Republicans Introduce The Wade-Davis Act • In July, 1864, Congress passed a stricter Reconstruction plan, the Wade-Davis Bill. – Southern States could rejoin the Union if 50% of voters took a loyalty oath. – Gave blacks civil liberties EXCEPT not the right to vote – Promised to redistribute southern land
What happened to the Wade-Davis Bill? • Lincoln let the bill die in a pocket veto. • How does a pocket veto occur? – Typically, if president does not sign bill within 10 days it automatically becomes law – But…. if Congress adjourns/leaves within those 10 days and is not signed then it does not become law
How a bill is passed Congress creates a law Congress votes on law (majority) President of U. S. Yes Veto (no) President ignores Pocket Veto 10 days Congress goes into recess bill Congress 2/3 vote override
Why use a pocket veto? • Re-elections are coming up • Doesn’t get accused of saying “No” • Can’t go back to Congress for 2/3 override
How were things left before Lincoln was assassinated? • No decisions were made • At the end of the Civil War, in the spring of 1865… Lincoln and Congress were on the brink of a political showdown with their competing plans for Reconstruction……. and then….
Lincoln’s hopes of forgiveness end • Weeks after his Second Inauguration, April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated at the Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth • John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confed soldier plotted with others to first kidnap Lincoln and exchange him for prisoners. Failed • Vice President Andrew Johnson replaced Lincoln as President
MONDAY THERE WILL BE AN OPEN NOTE QUIZ SO BRING YOUR NOTES!
The Conspirator: The Plot to Kill Lincoln • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=OQSpi. Hn px 9 M&feature=related • Videon: 46 min long
- Slides: 24