Reconstruction DBQ

Goals of Reconstruction

- Reunite the Southern states with the Union

- Rebuild the Southern economy and infrastructure

- Protect the rights of newly freed African Americans

- Define the role of the federal government in enforcing civil rights

Reconstruction

period of rebuilding after Civil War, 1865-1877

Radical Republicans

- led by Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens

- want to destroy power of former slaveholders

- give full citizenship, suffrage to African Americans

- in Congress refuse new Southern legislators

- wanted strict terms for Southern reentry and strong protections for freedmen

Lincoln's Ten percent plan

- Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction calls for 10% allegiance

- Ten percent of seceded state voters take oath of loyalty to Union

- Create new seceded state governments

- New state governments to adopt a new constitution abolishing slavery.

- Never fully implemented

Radical Reconstruction

- Wade-Davis Bill makes Congress responsible for Reconstruction

Goal to enforce civil rights and restructure Southern society.

- Divided the South into five military districts.

- Required new constitutions guaranteeing Black male suffrage.

- 14th and 15th Amendments passed (citizenship and voting rights).

- Major gains for African Americans, but faced violent resistance (e.g., Ku Klux Klan).

Wade-Davis Bill

Wants to impose stricter conditions for Southern reentry.

- Required 50% of white male voters to take a loyalty oath.

- Only non-Confederates could draft new state constitutions.

- Vetoed by Lincoln; never enacted.

Compromise of 1877

Hayes gets presidency, Democrats get:

- federal troops leave LA, SC

- funding for Southern railroad, waterways

- conservative Southerner in cabinet

Compromise means end of Reconstruction

Johnson's Reconstruction Plan

- Wants to continue Lincoln’s approach but with more power to the Southern states.

- Pardoned most former Confederates.

- Required states to abolish slavery and repudiate secession.

- Led to "Black Codes" and limited rights for freedmen; faced backlash from Congress.

End of Reconstruction

- Compromise of 1877

- Restricting the Franchise; White Control Perpetuated; Lynching and other heinous acts of violence; White Unity

- After Hayes removed federal troops, Democrats take over states

- Home rule—running state government without federal intervention

- following the disputed presidential election of 1876 between Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) and Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat

Legacy of Reconstruction

- Republicans fail to protect rights they gave to former slaves

- Unwillingness to distribute land blocks economic independence

- Amendments abolish slavery, give basis for civil rights legislation

- African-American schools, civic groups increase literacy, opportunity

13th amendment

Abolished slavery.

- First of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70)

14th amendment

Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law.

15th amendment

Guaranteed voting rights regardless of race.

Black codes

- laws passed by Southern states in 1865–1866, right after the Civil War

- By 1866, Republican governments repeal most black codes w/ amendments

- attempt by Southern states to preserve white supremacy and economic control after slavery ended

- Limited the right to vote, own property, or testify against whites.

- Banned from serving on juries or joining the military.

- Curfews and restrictions on travel and assembly.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

- Congress passes Civil Rights Act of 1866:

- grants citizenship to African Americans

- forbids black codes or discriminatory laws

Resistance to Reconstruction

-Black Codes:

- Defied Purpose of reconstruction

- preserved old power structures

- provokes Northern backlash

- Led to radical reconstruction