Reconstruction and the Gilded Age

Reconstruction Era

Period focused on rebuilding the South post-Civil War.

Gilded Age

Era marked by economic growth and social issues, 1865-1890.

Federal Government Weakness

Limited powers hindered effective governance post-Civil War.

Ten Percent Plan

Lincoln's lenient policy requiring 10% allegiance for states.

Wade-Davis Bill

Radical Republicans' proposal requiring 50% allegiance for states.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

Freedmen's Bureau

Agency providing education and employment assistance to former slaves.

Andrew Johnson

Lincoln's successor, faced challenges in Reconstruction efforts.

Presidential Reconstruction

Johnson's lenient approach to restoring Southern states.

Civil Rights Bill of 1866

First law granting minimum rights to blacks, vetoed by Johnson.

Congressional Override

Congress overturned Johnson's veto, requiring two-thirds majority.

Radical Republicans

Political faction advocating for strong civil rights protections.

Thaddeus Stevens

Leader of Radical Republicans, advocated land redistribution.

Fourteenth Amendment

Guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law.

Military Reconstruction Bill, 1867

Imposed military rule on Southern states for compliance.

Black Suffrage

Voting rights granted to African American men.

Federal Commanders

Military leaders overseeing Southern states during Reconstruction.

Southern Elites

Old power structures dominated new state governments.

Johnson's Vetoes

Opposed key Reconstruction legislation, escalating tensions with Congress.

Congressional Reconstruction

Congress's plan to enforce civil rights and rebuild the South.

Radicals vs. Moderates

Divisions within Republicans over the approach to Reconstruction.

Economic Freedom

Essential for former slaves alongside political rights.

Command of the Army Act

Reduced President Johnson's military powers significantly.

Tenure of Office Act

Prevented Johnson from dismissing office-holders.

Edwin M. Stanton

Secretary of State critical of President Johnson.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

Formed by Confederate soldiers in December 1865.

Race Riots 1866

Violence in Memphis and New Orleans against blacks.

Impeachment of Johnson

Johnson impeached but saved by one Senate vote.

Ulysses Grant

President during more successful Congressional Reconstruction.

Carpetbaggers

Northerners who moved South post-Civil War.

Scalawags

Southern whites who supported Republican Reconstruction efforts.

Fifteenth Amendment

Voting rights cannot be denied by race or servitude.

Enforcement Acts 1870-71

Strengthened protections of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Civil Rights Act 1875

Guaranteed equal treatment in public services.

Redeemers

Southern Democrats seeking to restore white supremacy.

Political Corruption

Grant's administration plagued by scandals and inefficiency.

Tweed Ring

Notorious political scandal in New York politics.

Whiskey Ring

Scandal involving liquor tax revenue fraud.

Black Friday

Speculators attempted to manipulate the gold market.

Pork Barrel Politics

Patronage system leading to government inefficiency.

Electoral Fraud

Common practice of repeat voting in elections.

Compromise of 1877

Marked the end of Reconstruction efforts.

Military Rule

New state governments under control of the US Army.

Hostile Reaction

Southern resentment towards Congressional Reconstruction efforts.

Political Opposition

Resistance from Southern state governments against Reconstruction.

Rutherford Hayes

Republican candidate in the contested 1876 election.

Samuel Tilden

Democratic candidate in the contested 1876 election.

Contested States

Oregon, South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida voting returns disputed.

Special Commission

Group formed to resolve election disputes.

Secret Deal

Agreement for Hayes to become president in exchange for troop withdrawal.

Carpetbaggers

Northerners who moved South post-Civil War, often criticized.

Gilded Age

Period marked by political corruption and economic disparity.

Mark Twain

Author of the novel critiquing Gilded Age excess.

Spoils System

Rewarding political supporters with government jobs.

New York Custom House

Center of political patronage and spoils system.

Rutherford Hayes' Reforms

Initiatives aimed at civil service reform.

Stalwarts

Republican faction opposing Hayes' reform efforts.

James Garfield

Continued Hayes' reforms; assassinated by a patronage-seeker.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

1883 law to merit-based government job appointments.

Civil Service Commission

First body to oversee merit-based appointments.

Grover Cleveland

Continued civil service reform; faced a Republican Senate.

Texas Seed Bill

Vetoed by Cleveland; controversial agricultural aid legislation.

Pork Barrel Politics

Government spending for localized projects to gain votes.

Billion Dollar Congress

Perception of Republican favoritism towards businesses.

Tammany Hall

Infamous New York City Democratic Party organization.

Party Bosses

Political leaders controlling local election processes.

Redeemer Governments

Southern Democrats who sought to restore white supremacy.

Jim Crow Laws

Legislation enforcing racial segregation in the South.

Hiram Revels

First African American Senator, elected in 1870.

Colfax Massacre

1873 racial violence; 150 African Americans killed.

Tuskegee Machine

Booker T. Washington's influential educational initiative.

Social Darwinism

Theories justifying racial hierarchy and discrimination.

Push factors

Reasons driving immigrants to leave their home countries.

Pull factors

Attractions drawing immigrants to the United States.

Nativist feeling

Hostility towards immigrants perceived as job threats.

Chinese Exclusion Act

1882 law banning Chinese immigration.

Truckee boycott

1886 protest against Chinese workers in Truckee.

Immigration statistics

10 million immigrants arrived 1860-1890.

Urbanization effect

Migration of African Americans to cities post-1877.

Fisk University

Historically black university founded by philanthropists.

Howard University

Another prominent historically black university established.

Hampton Institute

Educational institution for African Americans founded by charities.

Illiteracy rate

Over 50% of southern blacks were illiterate in 1890.

Voting restrictions

Southern states imposed rules to limit black voting.

Granger movement

Farmers' organization opposing big business interests.

Knights of Labour

Workers' union advocating for labor rights.

Economic growth

Immigrants significantly contributed to industrial development.

Melting pot

Concept of diverse cultures blending in America.

Samuel Gompers

Labor leader opposing Chinese labor competition.

Ethnic areas

Immigrants created distinct cultural neighborhoods in cities.

Granger Movement

Founded in 1867 to support farmers' needs.

Alliance Movement

Political shift from Granger Movement in 1880s.

Farmers' Grievances

Political force demanding low tariffs and currency reform.

Female Suffrage Struggle

Highlighted divisions among feminists and conservative women.

14th and 15th Amendments

Prioritized African American men over women's rights.

Susan B. Anthony

Radical leader who split from conservative suffragists.

NAWSA

Formed in 1890 to unify women's suffrage efforts.

Great Railroad Strike

1877 strike requiring troops to restore order.

Urbanization Issues

Northeast faced problems from industrial growth and immigration.

Orange Riots

Ethnic tensions between Irish Protestants and Catholics.