IB HOTA Reconstruction

What economic damage did the South suffer after the Civil War?

The South lost $3 billion due to the collapse of slave labor.

What were the main elements of Lincoln's 10 Percent Plan for Reconstruction?

Only 10% of southerners needed to take an oath of loyalty and promise to respect black freedom.

How did Lincoln’s approach to Reconstruction differ from that of the Radical Republicans?

The Radical Republicans wanted greater punishment for the South.

What was the Wade-Davis Bill, and why did Lincoln pocket-veto it?

The Wade-Davis Bill required more than half of a state's population to pledge allegiance to the Union. Lincoln pocket-vetoed it, effectively killing the bill without a direct veto.

What was Andrew Johnson’s Proclamation of Amnesty, and how did it impact Confederate officials?

It recognized all people in the South as citizens, offering amnesty to most Confedereates.

Who were Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, and what role did they play in Reconstruction?

They were leading Radical Republicans who advocated for the punishment of the South and political equality for freedmen.

How did the Freedmen’s Bureau aim to assist former slaves?

The Freedmen’s Bureau built schools for Freedmen to educate them.

What were black codes, and how did they limit the rights of African Americans?

Black codes were laws that limited the rights of blacks, forcing them to continue working on plantations and imposing restrictions on their movement, property, and assembly.

What was Andrew Johnson’s response to the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and how did Congress react?

Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, but Congress overrode the veto.

What was the Tenure in Office Act and what role did it play in the impeachment of Andrew Johnson?

The Tenure in Office Act required presidential approval for hiring or firing cabinet members. Johnson's violation of this act led to his impeachment.

What changes did the Reconstruction Act of 1867 bring to the South?

It allowed for military occupation of the South to enforce Reconstruction efforts.

How did the 14th and 15th Amendments aim to secure the rights of African Americans?

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to African Americans, while the 15th Amendment granted voting rights to African American males.

Why did some female abolitionists, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, oppose the language of the 15th Amendment?

They opposed it because it granted voting rights to African American men before granting rights to women.

How did African Americans begin to participate in politics during Reconstruction, and what was its significance?

They voted and ran for offices, signifying a step towards political representation and equality.

Who was Hiram Revels, and why was his election significant?

Hiram Revels was the first black congressman, replacing Jefferson Davis.

What challenges did freed people face when trying to assert their rights during Reconstruction?

They faced black codes and violence from groups like the KKK.

How did Southern white resistance manifest against black education and civil rights?

It involved targeting freedmen teachers, enforcing black codes, and implementing Jim Crow laws.

What were the long-term consequences of Reconstruction policies on race relations in the United States?

These policies deepened resentment in the South and contributed to the rise of Jim Crow laws.

In what ways did the legacy of Reconstruction shape the future of civil rights movements in the United States?

It initiated the civil rights movement by establishing a framework for fighting for equality.

What was the primary goal of Reconstruction following the Civil War?

To rebuild and unite the Union after the Civil War.

What was the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), and what were its primary objectives during Reconstruction?

The KKK was a group of racist Southern whites aiming to prevent blacks from exercising their rights, especially voting.

How did the KKK attempt to disrupt Reconstruction efforts in the South?

They intimidated and attacked African Americans, discouraging them from voting and disrupting Republican efforts.

What groups of people were specifically targeted by the KKK, and why?

Primarily African Americans, as well as carpetbaggers and scalawags, because they opposed KKK's goals.

How did President Grant’s administration respond to KKK violence, and what impact did these policies have?

Grant initiated a war on terrorism against the KKK and implemented the KKK Act of 1871 to suppress their influence.

How did the withdrawal of federal troops from the South affect the power of the KKK and Black suffrage?

It empowered the KKK, leading to increased violence and oppression against blacks.

How did the sharecropping system work, and why did it become widespread in the South?

Freedmen worked for former masters, sharing profits of the crops grown; however, debts often exceeded their earnings.

What was the difference between sharecropping and tenant farming?

Tenant farmers owned their tools and rented land, while sharecroppers paid for tools but not land, giving a share of crops to owners.

How did the credit system keep freedmen and poor whites in a cycle of debt?

They incurred debts greater than their annual earnings due to costs for food, tools, and necessities.

What was the outcome of the 1876 presidential election, and why was it controversial?

Tilden won both electoral and popular votes but lacked enough electoral votes, leading to a disputed result.

What was the Compromise of 1877, and how did it mark the end of Reconstruction?

Hayes was awarded electoral votes in exchange for withdrawing troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

How did the withdrawal of federal troops lead to the rise of Redeemer governments in the South?

It facilitated Southern Democrats regaining control of state governments, called “Redeemers.”

What were the immediate effects of the end of Reconstruction on African Americans?

The establishment of Jim Crow laws and renewed white supremacy under Southern control.

What were Jim Crow laws, and how did they institutionalize racial segregation?

Jim Crow laws enforced segregation between whites and blacks, heavily restricting African Americans' rights.

How did poll taxes, literacy tests, and the grandfather clause restrict African American voting rights?

These laws were designed to disenfranchise African Americans while continuing to allow white voters to participate.

How did the Supreme Court justify segregation through the “separate but equal” doctrine?

It held that segregation is acceptable as long as the separate facilities are of equal quality.

What was the impact of racial violence, such as lynchings, on Black communities?

Lynchings instilled fear and represented a violent assertion of white supremacy, with thousands murdered.

What role did Ida B. Wells play in the anti-lynching movement?

She was a prominent activist who argued against the justifications for lynching and raised awareness internationally.

How did Booker T. Washington’s philosophy on racial progress differ from that of W.E.B. DuBois?

Washington emphasized self-sufficiency for African Americans, while DuBois advocated for immediate political power and civil rights.

How did the Solid South influence American politics after Reconstruction?

The Solid South consistently voted for Democrats, reflecting a backlash against Republican policies after the Civil War.

In what ways did Reconstruction succeed, and in what ways did it fail in promoting racial equality?

It restored the Union, passed the 14th and 15th Amendments, and mandated education in the South; however, it ultimately failed to ensure long-term racial equality.