fiveable info!
10% Plan / Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan / The Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
____________ was a lenient reconstruction strategy proposed by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, aimed at reintegrating the Southern states into the Union. Under this plan, once 10% of the voters in a Confederate state took an oath of allegiance to the Union, they could form a new state government and be readmitted. This approach reflected Lincoln's belief in a quick reconciliation rather than harsh punishment for the South.
13th Amendment
____________ abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified in December 1865, this amendment was a significant legal step during the Reconstruction era, aiming to establish freedom for former enslaved people and reshape the nation’s social fabric.
14th Amendment
____________, ratified in 1868, was a significant addition to the U.S. Constitution that granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. It aimed to secure the rights of former slaves and address issues related to Reconstruction, ensuring that states could not deny any person due process or equal protection of the laws.
15th Amendment
____________ is a significant part of the United States Constitution that prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude.' Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a crucial element of the Reconstruction Era, aiming to secure voting rights for African American men after the Civil War. Its passage marked a pivotal step toward achieving racial equality and laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements.
Black Codes
____________ were laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War aimed at controlling the labor and behavior of formerly enslaved people. These laws severely restricted the rights of African Americans, limiting their freedom and economic opportunities, while reinforcing white supremacy in the post-Reconstruction era. ____________ exemplified the struggle over civil rights and the ongoing tension between different racial groups during the time.
Blanche K. Bruce & Hiram Revels
____________ were two prominent African American politicians during the Reconstruction era, serving as U.S. Senators from Mississippi. Their election to Congress marked a significant moment in American history, showcasing the political advancements made by African Americans following the Civil War and highlighting the changing dynamics of race and representation in the United States.
The Freedmen’s Bureau
____________ was established in 1865 to assist formerly enslaved people and poor whites in the South during the Reconstruction era. This federal agency aimed to provide food, housing, education, and medical care while also facilitating labor contracts and the legal rights of freedmen. The Bureau played a crucial role in the transition from slavery to freedom and sought to rebuild the Southern economy after the Civil War.
Civil Rights Act of 1866
____________ was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to protect the civil rights of all citizens, particularly African Americans, following the Civil War. This act declared that all persons born in the United States were citizens, regardless of race, and granted them equal rights under the law. It was a significant step in Reconstruction efforts, addressing the inequalities and injustices faced by former slaves and attempting to secure their rights in the aftermath of slavery.
Congress and Wade-Davis Reconstruction
____________ refers to a specific period of the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, characterized by the legislative efforts of Congress to reshape the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. This approach contrasted sharply with President Abraham Lincoln's more lenient plan for Reconstruction, focusing instead on stricter terms for Southern states to rejoin the Union. The ____________ Bill of 1864 was a key proposal that required a majority of white male citizens in a state to take a loyalty oath before reconstruction could begin, emphasizing Congress's commitment to ensuring civil rights and equality for freedmen.
Congressional Radical Republican Reconstruction
____________ was a phase of the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, marked by the efforts of Radical Republicans to impose strict terms on the Southern states for their readmission into the Union. This approach emphasized civil rights for freedmen, including voting rights, and sought to transform Southern society through significant political and social reforms. The Radical Republicans aimed to counteract the leniency of President Andrew Johnson's policies and ensure a more equitable future for newly freed African Americans.
General Oliver Howard
____________ was a Union general during the American Civil War, known for his role in various significant battles and later as a key figure in the Reconstruction era. He is best recognized for founding Howard University and leading the Freedmen's Bureau, which aimed to assist formerly enslaved individuals in their transition to freedom and citizenship after the war.
Johnson’s Impeachment
____________ refers to the political process in 1868, where President ____________ was tried by the Senate after being impeached by the House of Representatives, largely due to his opposition to Reconstruction policies and violation of the Tenure of Office Act. This event highlighted the intense conflict between the presidency and Congress during the Reconstruction era, reflecting deeper societal divisions over how to rebuild the nation after the Civil War and integrate formerly enslaved individuals into American society.
Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan
____________ was the approach taken by President ____________ after the Civil War to reintegrate the Southern states back into the Union. This plan aimed to restore the political and social order in the South quickly, often granting leniency to former Confederate states and leaders while focusing on a rapid return to normalcy rather than addressing the rights of freed slaves.
Presidential Reconstruction
____________ refers to the period following the Civil War from 1865 to 1867, characterized by the efforts of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson to reintegrate the Southern states back into the Union. This approach emphasized leniency and rapid restoration, allowing Southern states to rejoin with minimal requirements, primarily focusing on the acceptance of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. This period is crucial for understanding the early attempts at rebuilding the nation and addressing the challenges posed by the end of slavery.
Reconstruction Act of 1867
____________ was a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at restructuring the Southern states after the Civil War, laying the groundwork for civil rights and political inclusion for formerly enslaved individuals. This act divided the South into five military districts governed by Union generals, enforcing federal authority to ensure compliance with new laws that protected the rights of freedmen. It marked a significant shift in federal policy towards Reconstruction, emphasizing military oversight and the need for Southern states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing voting rights for all men, regardless of race.
Reconstruction Amendments
____________ refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution, adopted in the aftermath of the Civil War to establish and protect the civil rights of former slaves. These amendments aimed to address the issues of slavery, citizenship, and voting rights, playing a crucial role in shaping the legal framework for equality and civil rights during Reconstruction. They sought to integrate formerly enslaved individuals into American society and ensure their protection under the law.
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton
____________ was the Secretary of War under President Abraham Lincoln and later under Andrew Johnson during the critical period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. His role was pivotal in overseeing the military aspects of Reconstruction and implementing policies aimed at protecting the rights of newly freed slaves, as well as ensuring the stability of the southern states during their transition back to the Union.
Tenure of Office Act
____________ was a law passed by Congress in 1867 aimed at restricting the president's power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate's approval. This act was primarily created during the Reconstruction era to protect members of President Andrew Johnson's cabinet, particularly those sympathetic to the goals of Reconstruction. The law became a significant point of contention between Congress and the presidency, ultimately leading to Johnson's impeachment.
Three big questions of Reconstruction
____________ refer to the central issues that shaped the period after the Civil War, focusing on how to reunite the nation, integrate formerly enslaved individuals into society, and determine the political and social rights of these individuals. These questions encapsulate the struggles of reintegrating the Southern states into the Union while addressing the legacies of slavery and racial inequality. The answers to these questions influenced policies and debates that defined the Reconstruction era.