APUSH Textbook Chapter 15

Radical Republicans

A shifting group of Republican congressmen, who favored abolishing slavery and advocated full rights for former slaves in the South.

Freedmen’s Bureau

Agency established by Congress to provide social, educational, and economic services as well as advice and protection to former slaves

Presidential Reconstruction

Name given to the immediate post-Civil War era, when President Andrew Jackson took the lead to return full rights to the former Confederate states

Congressional Reconstruction

Name given to the period when the Republican-dominated Congress controlled the Reconstruction era policy. Sometimes it is known as Radical Reconstruction.

Redemption

A term used by opponents of Reconstruction for the era in which the federal government ended its involvement in Southern affairs, and southern whites took control of state governments and ended black political rights.

Black Codes

Laws passed by states and municipalities denying many rights of citizenship to free blacks and to control black labor, mobility, and employment.

Lyman Trumbull

Illinois Senator who proposed two pieces of legislation: the extension of the Freedmen’s bureau, and the civil rights bill which defined *everybody* born in the US as a citizen.

Union Leagues

In the South, a Republican Party organization led by African-Americans, which became an important organizing device after 1865.

Scalawags

A disparaging term for southern whites who supported the Southern Republican Party during Reconstruction.

Carpetbaggers

Term used by white Southerners for Northern transplants who came to the South to help with Reconstruction.

Ku Klux Klan

One of several vigilante groups that terrorized black people in the South during the Reconstruction Era, founded by Confederate veterans in 1866.

William J. Cruikshank

White participant in the attack on Colfax, Louisiana. Indicated on federal charges for violating the civil rights of the black people killed in the attack. 3 years later charges were ruled unconstitutional.

Rutherford B. Hayes

Republican nominee for 1876 presidential election. On good terms with all factions in the party. (W)

Samuel Tilden

Democrat nominee for 1876 presidential election. Governor of New York. (L)

Jim Crow Segregation

Segregation laws which became widespread in the South during the 1890s, named for a minstrel show character portrayed satirically by white actors in blackface.

10% Plan

Plan made by Abraham Lincoln. Forces southern states to rewrite their constitutions and have it approved by at least 10% of their population as a punishment for the torture of African Americans.

Andrew Johnson

Becomes president in 1865. Says states have to rewrite constitutions, void secession, abolish slavery, and ratify 13th amendments.

Sharecropping

Process where the farmer would farm part of its plantation owners land, with provided housing. These farmers were treated badly by the owners.

Tenant Farming

Farming system where the plantation owner would receive rent from farmers.

Crop-lien system

A way for black farmers to get credit before the planting season by borrowing against the value of anticipated harvests.

14th Amendment

Amendment which granted citizenship to everyone.

15th Amendment

Amendment which said no citizen may be denied to vote no matter what.

Ulysses S. Grant

Replacement for Andrew Johnson when he is impeached as president.

Amnesty Act of 1872

Allowed Southern white Democrats to regain the ability to vote in 1872.