period 5 (reconstruction)

Abe Lincoln

Lenient

Believed treating Southerners harshly would exacerbate the tension that led to the secession

10% plan

Minimum test of political loyalty for Southern states to return into the union

• 10% of 1860 electorate pledged loyalty to the union

• State legislature had to ratify the 13th amendment (abolished slavery)

Lincolns murder, Johnsons presidential era

After Lincoln’s murder, Johnson (VP) became president. He attempted to carry out Lincoln’s plan but failed and he was a Southerner so he didn’t really care about equality. Johnson reunited the North and South but allowed the South to create pre-war like conditions

Black Codes

Restricted freedom of Southern Black people and forced them for work for very low wages

Radical Republicans

In Congress, hated Johnson and wanted reconstruction to be led by congress. Pass legislation that extended rights to Southern black people while suppressing Southern resurgence.

Freedmen’s Bureau

Agency that was set up to help newly freed Black people get on their feet

(Johnson vetoed both initially but it was overrode by congress with 2/3 majority)

Civil Rights Act (1866)

Protected citizenship of Black people and gave them equal protection under the laws

(Johnson vetoed both initially but it was overrode by congress with 2/3 majority)

14th amendment

All persons who were born or naturalized in the U.S. were citizens of the U.S. and every citizen enjoyed equal protection of the laws on the state level.

Reconstruction Acts of 1867

• Made sure to enforce laws passed in the South

• Republicans divided South into five districts and put them under military occupation and federal troops

• Increased requirement for Southern states to rejoin the union- Must ratify the 14th amendment and add to their state constitution a provision for universal male voting rights

Johnsons Impeachment

Johnson fired a member of his cabinet (under Tenure of Office Act (1867) which made it illegal for the president to fire a member of his cabinet without congressional approval), led to impeachment which failed by one vote, rendered Johnson powerless to direct any future reconstruction policies.

15th amendment (womens perspective)

Passing of the 15th amendment made women’s rights advocates mad as it didn’t recognize women’s rights to vote.

National Woman Suffrage Association

Formed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony

Continued to fight for the franchise to be extended to women

American Woman Suffrage Association

Henry Black and Lucy Stone

Were disappointed about the amendment but argued that it was important to support Reconstruction efforts federally while working on women’s suffrage on the state level

13th amendment

Abolished slavery

15th

Granted voting rights to newly freed Black male population of the South