PQ 3c

Andrew Johnson-Ulysses S Grant

Andrew Johnson

1865-1869 Republican

Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Andrew Johnson

1865

The Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction provided a plan for the reintegration of the Southern states into the Union. Once  10% of Southerners took an oath to the Union, except for high-ranking Confederate leaders and wealthy landowners, the state could set up a new government and rejoin the Union. It was lenient and aimed at quickly restoring Southern states, but it was criticized by many. Radical Republicans felt it was too lenient and did not address the rights of freed slaves or the need for more thorough Reconstruction in the South. It led to the rise of "Redeemer" governments in the South, the enactment of Black Codes, and eventually the shift to Radical Reconstruction under Congressional control.

Presidential Reconstruction completed

Andrew Johnson

1865

Presidential Reconstruction was aimed to quickly reintegrate the Southern states into the Union. Johnson offered pardons to most Southern whites who swore allegiance to the Union. However, his lenient policies did not address the rights of freed African Americans, allowing Southern states to pass Black Codes that restricted black rights. The lack of protections for African Americans and the return of former Confederates to power led to tensions with Radical Republicans in Congress, setting the stage for Congressional Reconstruction. They implemented a plan of Reconstruction that gave the white South a free hand in regulating the transition from slavery to freedom and offered no role to blacks in the politics of the South.

Black Codes implemented in South

Andrew Johnson

1865

A set of discriminatory laws designed to limit the rights and freedoms of newly freed African Americans after the Civil War. They sought to maintain white supremacy and control over black labor by restricting African Americans' ability to move freely, own property, work in certain occupations, and testify in court. Some Black Codes required African Americans to sign labor contracts that bound them to work for a single employer, similar to slavery. They were intended to preserve the economic and social structure of the South. They provoked outrage in the North, leading to a shift from Presidential Reconstruction to Congressional Reconstruction, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment, and the establishment of stronger protections for African Americans. They also set the base for the Jim Crow laws.

Ex Parte Milligan

Andrew Johnson

1866

Ex Parte Milligan was a Supreme Court case that ruled it was unconstitutional to try civilians in military tribunals when civilian courts were open and functioning. Lambdin P. Milligan, a civilian, was sentenced to death by a military commission in Indiana for his alleged involvement in a plot to aid the Confederacy. He argued his trial violated his constitutional rights, particularly the right to a trial by jury and protection against military overreach. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Milligan. The decision reinforced the limits of executive power during wartime and emphasized the importance of civilian judicial authority. It led to a reinforcement of civil liberties by limiting the use of military tribunals for civilians, asserting that constitutional protections could not be suspended while civilian courts were still operational.

National Labor Union founded

Andrew Johnson

1866

The National Labor Union was the first national labor organization in the United States, aiming to unite workers across different industries to advocate for better working conditions, higher wages, and the eight-hour workday. It sought to address the growing inequality and exploitation faced by laborers during the Industrial Revolution, and it also pushed for social reforms such as the establishment of a national bank and the abolition of child labor. Although the NLU was short-lived and eventually dissolved in 1873, it laid the groundwork for future growth of organized labor in the U.S., inspiring future labor movements and the eventual creation of more effective labor organizations, such as the American Federation of Labor, and contributing to the push for labor reforms.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Andrew Johnson

1866

The Civil Rights Act was a law passed during Reconstruction that granted citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. and ensured equal protection under the law. It aimed to protect the rights of newly freed African Americans by prohibiting discrimination in contracts, property ownership, and legal proceedings. The act was passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto, marking a significant victory for Radical Republicans. It laid the groundwork for future civil rights protections, though its full impact was limited until the 14th Amendment reinforced these principles. It strengthened federal authority to protect civil rights, and set the stage for future civil rights legislation, though its full impact was limited until the 20th century.

KKK formed

Andrew Johnson

1866

The Ku Klux Klan was a group of Confederate veterans as a secret white supremacist organization. Initially, it aimed to resist Reconstruction efforts and intimidate African Americans and white Republicans who supported racial equality and civil rights. The KKK used terror tactics, including violence, lynchings, and arson, to suppress black voting and restore white dominance in the South. The Klan expanded across the South and became a major force in undermining Reconstruction, contributing to the region's return to white-controlled political power by the 1870s. In response, the federal government passed the Enforcement Acts to combat KKK violence, but the KKK's actions contributed to the eventual end of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow laws.

Congressional (Radical) Reconstruction

Andrew Johnson

1867

Congressional (Radical) Reconstruction was a response to President Andrew Johnson's lenient policies toward the South. Led by the Radical Republicans in Congress, this phase aimed to ensure civil rights for African Americans and restructure Southern society. The Military Reconstruction Acts of 1867 divided the South into five military districts, placing them under martial law. This period also saw the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments, granting citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, and the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson in 1868 for defying congressional authority. It effectively ended with the Compromise of 1877, which saw the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the end of Reconstruction, which marked the return of white-controlled governments in the South and the beginning of Jim Crow laws.

Tenure Office Act

Andrew Johnson

1867

The Tenure of Office Act was a law passed by Congress that restricted the president's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval. It required the president to obtain Senate consent before removing any official whose appointment had originally been confirmed by the Senate. The Act was designed to protect key members of President Andrew Johnson's cabinet, particularly Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, who was aligned with the Radical Republicans and opposed Johnson's lenient Reconstruction policies. Johnson's violation of this law by firing Stanton without Senate approval led to his impeachment in 1868, although he was acquitted by one vote in the Senate. The Tenure of Office Act was later repealed in 1887, as it was seen as an overreach of congressional power.

Seward’s Folly [Alaska]

Andrew Johnson

1867

Seward's Folly refers to the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, which was negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward. At the time, many critics mocked the acquisition, calling it a "folly" because they saw Alaska as a barren, frozen wasteland with little value. However, the purchase later proved to be highly beneficial, as Alaska was rich in natural resources like gold, oil, and timber, making it a strategic and economic asset. The deal is now seen as a major success in U.S. expansionism. 

14th Amendment

Andrew Johnson

1868

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved individuals, and provided for equal protection under the law. It also prohibited states from denying any person "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," thus strengthening civil rights and limiting the power of state governments to infringe on individual rights. The amendment was a cornerstone of Reconstruction and laid the foundation for future civil rights protections.The 14th Amendment led to significant legal protections for African Americans, including the expansion of civil rights and the principle of equal protection under the law. It shaped the legal fight against segregation, discrimination, and injustice in later years, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. Many people in the Women’s suffrage movement were also angry that it did not include them.

Impeachment Trial

Andrew Johnson

1868

The Impeachment Trial was the result of President Andrew Johnson's violation of the Tenure of Office Act, which he had broken by removing Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton and attempting to replace him with a more conservative ally without Senate approval. The House of Representatives impeached Johnson, accusing him of "high crimes and misdemeanors," largely due to his opposition to Congressional Reconstruction policies. Johnson was acquitted by a single vote, preventing his removal from office. It led to a weakened presidency for Andrew Johnson, a greater emphasis on congressional power during Reconstruction, and set a significant precedent for the impeachment process.

Transcontinental Railroad completed

Andrew Johnson

1869

The Transcontinental Railroad connected the eastern United States to the western frontier for the first time with a continuous rail line. It was finished when the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads met at Promontory Point, Utah. The railroad drastically reduced travel time across the country, facilitated the movement of goods and people, spurred economic growth, and played a crucial role in the expansion of the American West, including the settlement of new territories. It led to rapid westward expansion and growth in industries like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. It also contributed to the displacement of Native American tribes and the development of new towns and cities, solidifying the United States' continental reach and reinforcing its industrial power.

Ulysses S. Grant

1869-1877 Republican

15th Amendment

Ulysses S. Grant

1870

The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting the federal government and states from denying voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It aimed at securing political rights for freed African Americans and ensuring their participation in the democratic process. The amendment's promise was undermined in the South by voter suppression tactics such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation, which persisted until the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. The 15th Amendment led to the expansion of voting rights for African American men. Many people in the Women’s suffrage movement were also angry that it did not include them.

Amnesty Act for ex-Confederates

Ulysses S. Grant

1870

The Amnesty Act of 1872 was a law that restored full political rights to most ex-Confederates, including the right to vote and hold public office. It marked a shift toward reconciliation in the South, as it aimed to heal the divisions, but it also effectively ended many of the gains made by African Americans during Reconstruction. By lifting restrictions on former Confederates, the act allowed Southern Democrats to regain control of state governments, contributing to the eventual end of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow laws. 

Enforcement Acts

Ulysses S. Grant

1870

The Enforcement Acts of 1870 were a series of laws passed by Congress to combat the growing violence and intimidation by white supremacist groups, particularly KKK, in the South. These laws allowed the federal government to intervene in Southern states, protect African Americans' right to vote, and use military force if necessary to suppress KKK activities. They helped reduce KKK violence temporarily and were an attempt to protect the civil rights of African Americans during the Reconstruction era. However, after the acts were weakened and enforcement diminished, especially after the Compromise of 1877, Southern states increasingly circumvented these protections, contributing to the rise of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the late 19th century.

Yellowstone National Park

Ulysses S. Grant

1872

Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the United States and the world. It was created to preserve the unique natural landscapes, geothermal features, and diverse wildlife in the Yellowstone region, located primarily in Wyoming. The park's creation marked the beginning of the national parks movement, reflecting growing concerns about conservation and the need to protect natural resources from exploitation and development. The establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872 led to the creation of a national parks system in the United States, promoting conservation and the protection of natural landscapes for future generations. It also inspired the development of similar parks and the eventual formation of the National Park Service in 1916, which oversaw the management and preservation of federal parks across the country.

Anthony Comstock, Society for the Suppression of Vice

Ulysses S. Grant

1872

Anthony Comstock founded the Society for the Suppression of Vice to combat obscenity, gambling, and prostitution in the United States. Comstock's efforts led to the passage of the Comstock Laws, which criminalized the distribution of "obscene" materials, including birth control information and pornography, and gave him broad powers to enforce these laws. While Comstock's actions temporarily succeeded in limiting access to such materials, his campaign also contributed to the early 20th-century movements for women's rights and reproductive freedom, eventually leading to greater challenges against these moral restrictions, including the birth control movement and the broader fight for personal liberties.

Panic of 1873 [depression lasts until 1879]

Ulysses S. Grant

1873-1879

The Panic of 1873 was a severe economic depression triggered by the collapse of the banking firm Jay Cooke & Company, which had heavily invested in railroads, leading to widespread bank failures, stock market crashes, and a prolonged economic downturn. The depression resulted in widespread unemployment, business bankruptcies, and a deep financial crisis, particularly affecting industrial and agricultural sectors, and it led to significant political and social unrest during the Gilded Age. It also sparked debates over monetary policy, leading to the Silver Movement and the eventual passage of the Bland-Allison Act in 1878, which required the U.S. government to purchase silver and mint silver coins, and contributed to the rise of labor movements advocating for workers' rights and better economic conditions.

Mark Twain Gilded Age

Ulysses S. Grant

1873

Mark Twain's Gilded Age satirized the period of rapid economic growth and political corruption. The novel critiques the greed, materialism, and political graft that characterized the era, exposing the stark contrast between the glittering appearance of prosperity and the underlying social and economic problems, such as inequality, exploitation, and political dishonesty. It led to greater public awareness and criticism of the corruption, inequality, and greed that characterized the period, influencing later progressive reforms. The novel helped inspire calls for political and economic change, contributing to the rise of the Progressive Era in the early 20th century, when reforms aimed at curbing corruption, improving labor conditions, and regulating big business gained momentum.

Slaughterhouse Cases

Ulysses S. Grant

1873

The Slaughterhouse Cases were a group of Supreme Court decisions that significantly limited the scope of the 14th Amendment's protections. The Court ruled that the privileges or immunities clause of the 14th Amendment only protected rights associated with national citizenship, not those related to state citizenship, thereby allowing states to regulate local businesses without interference from federal civil rights protections. This ruling weakened the federal government's ability to protect individual rights at the state level and undermined efforts to protect African Americans' rights during Reconstruction. This decision set back Reconstruction-era civil rights protections and paved the way for the development of Jim Crow laws, as it allowed states to impose discriminatory practices without significant federal intervention.

Credit Mobilier scandal

Ulysses S. Grant

1873

The Credit Mobilier scandal involved a construction company, Credit Mobilier of America, that was created by executives of the Union Pacific Railroad to build the railroad at inflated prices, while secretly paying off government officials and members of Congress with stock in the company to secure favorable treatment and avoid investigations. The scandal came to light leading to mass distrust. Several high-ranking officials, including the Vice President, were implicated, although few were prosecuted. It led to widespread public outrage over government corruption and the unethical relationship between big business and politicians during the Gilded Age. It contributed to growing calls for political reform, including the push for civil service reform and greater oversight of business practices, setting the stage for later progressive movements aimed at curbing corporate influence and increasing transparency in government.

Whiskey Ring scandal

Ulysses S. Grant

1875

The Whiskey Ring scandal was a major political scandal involving a network of government officials, distillers, and distributors who defrauded the federal government of millions of dollars in whiskey taxes. It diverted tax revenues and bribed Treasury Department officials to avoid paying taxes on whiskey, which was a significant source of federal revenue. When the scandal was exposed, it led to several high-profile convictions, including the indictment of Grant's private secretary, although Grant himself was not directly implicated. It led to a loss of public trust in the Grant administration, exposed widespread corruption within the federal government, and increased calls for reform in government practices and oversight.

Gold discovered in Black Hills, South Dakota

Ulysses S. Grant

1874

Gold was discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota, which led to a rush of miners and settlers into the area, despite it being part of land guaranteed to the Lakota Sioux by the Treaty of Fort Laramie. This discovery triggered conflicts between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, eventually leading to the Great Sioux War and the forced relocation of the Lakota Sioux. It led to a rush of settlers into Native American territory, violating the Treaty of Fort Laramie. This conflict resulted in the defeat of the U.S. Army at the Battle of Little Bighorn, the eventual forced relocation of the Lakota Sioux, and further tensions between Native Americans and the U.S. government over land rights and sovereignty.

WCTU Women Christian Temperance Union

Ulysses S. Grant

1874

The Women's Christian Temperance Union was an organization dedicated to promoting temperance as well as advocating for women's rights and social reforms. Led by figures like Frances Willard, the WCTU became one of the most influential women's organizations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pushing for alcohol regulation, labor reforms, and women's suffrage, ultimately contributing to the passage of the 18th Amendment (Prohibition) in 1919 and the 19th Amendment (women's right to vote) in 1920. The WCTU also played a key role in advocating for labor rights, educational reform, and women's involvement in public life, making it a major force in the broader Progressive Movement.

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Ulysses S. Grant

1875

The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a law that aimed to guarantee African Americans equal treatment in public accommodations, such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation, and to prohibit discrimination in jury selection. It was one of the last major pieces of Reconstruction legislation, but its enforcement was weak, and the Supreme Court later ruled parts of it unconstitutional in 1883, effectively dismantling federal protections for African Americans in public spaces. The Act had limited impact due to legal challenges and widespread resistance in the South, leading to the rise of Jim Crow laws. It led to a temporary boost in efforts to guarantee civil rights for African Americans, but its weakening enforcement ultimately led to its inefficiency.

Battle of Little BigHorn

Ulysses S. Grant

1876

The Battle of Little Bighorn was a significant conflict between the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and the U.S. Army. Led by General George Armstrong Custer, the U.S. Army attacked a large Native American camp in the Black Hills of Montana, but was decisively defeated by a coalition of Native American forces led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The battle became famous for the complete annihilation of Custer's 7th Cavalry, and although it was a major victory for Native Americans, it ultimately led to intensified U.S. military action and the eventual defeat and forced relocation of Native tribes to reservations. While the battle was a significant victory for the Native Americans, it ultimately contributed to their eventual defeat, as the U.S. military escalated its actions, leading to the Great Sioux War's conclusion and the weakening of Native resistance in the late 19th century.

National League of baseball organized

Ulysses S. Grant

1876

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was organized as the first major professional baseball league. The league, founded by William Hulbert, established a standardized set of rules and sought to create a more stable and competitive environment for professional baseball teams, leading to the growth of the sport and its eventual dominance in American culture. It led to the establishment of professional baseball as a major sport in the United States, setting the foundation for its national popularity. It also led to the eventual creation of the American League in 1901, culminating in the establishment of the World Series in 1903, which solidified baseball as America's pastime and fostered the growth of professional sports leagues across the country.

Telephone patented, Alexander Graham Bell

Ulysses S. Grant

1876

Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone, revolutionizing communication by allowing the transmission of sound over long distances through electrical signals. The invention marked the beginning of the telecommunications industry and had profound effects on society, facilitating faster communication, business expansion, and the growth of global networks. It led to the rapid development of the telecommunications industry, transforming how people communicated across distances. It eventually paved the way for the creation of telephone networks, the rise of companies like AT&T, and the broader revolution in communication technology, influencing everything from business practices to social interaction and contributing to the development of the global economy.

Compromise of 1877

Ulysses S. Grant

1877

The Compromise of 1877 was an informal agreement that resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. In exchange for Hayes being declared the winner, Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction and allowing Democrats to regain control of Southern state governments. This compromise marked the end of Reconstruction, leading to the rise of Jim Crow laws and a long period of disenfranchisement and segregation for African Americans in the South, leading to nearly a century of systemic discrimination and limited civil rights for Black people in the South.