Reconstruction Era: Policies, Challenges, and Changes

Reconstruction

Process of rebuilding Southern state governments post-Civil War.

Southern Economy Post-War

Severely damaged; plantation economy in shambles.

Lincoln's Plan

Lenient approach requiring 10% loyalty re-pledge.

Wade-Davis Bill

Proposed 50% loyalty re-pledge; harsher than Lincoln's plan.

Andrew Johnson

Lincoln's VP; complex leader with poor Southern background.

Johnson's Reconstruction Policy

10% plan with added restrictions on Confederate leaders.

Black Codes

Laws restricting rights of former slaves in the South.

Veto Power Usage

Johnson vetoed legislation against Black Codes frequently.

Radical Republicans

Group advocating for increased rights for Black Americans.

Johnson's Pardons

Granted to former Confederate leaders to gain support.

Reconstruction Goals

Reintegrate Southern states while addressing social issues.

Federal Support

Essential for Southern recovery after the Civil War.

Political Rights Loss

Former Confederate leaders lost political rights under Johnson.

Civil War Aftermath

New social problems emerged in the South post-war.

Sherman's Impact

Crippled Georgia, contributing to Southern economic collapse.

Richmond's Destruction

City burned down, symbolizing Southern devastation.

Moderate Republicans

Alienated by Johnson's policies, leading to Radical rise.

Voting Rights Advocacy

Radical Republicans pushed for Black voting rights.

Legislative Pushback

Republican Congress aimed to counteract Black Codes.

Southern State Constitutions

Required to exclude slavery for re-acceptance into Union.

Political Tension

Wade-Davis Bill aimed to prolong North-South conflict.

14th Amendment

Established citizenship and rights for all Americans.

Reconstruction Acts of 1867

Divided South into military districts for control.

Impeachment of Johnson

Congress attempted to remove Johnson over dismissals.

Sharecropping

System resembling slavery, limiting Black Americans' freedom.

Freedmen's Bureau

Welfare agency aiding freed Black Americans post-Civil War.

Black Communities

Formed around churches and Black-led organizations.

Scalawags

Southern Republicans supporting Northern political power.

Carpetbaggers

Northerners moving South for political and economic opportunities.

White Supremacy

Prevalent ideology causing discrimination against Black Americans.

Military Districts

Regions controlled by Union army during Reconstruction.

Radical Republicans

Political group pushing for strong Reconstruction measures.

Civil Rights

Legal protections for all citizens, especially Black Americans.

Southern States

Faced restrictions on denying rights to Black citizens.

Job Discrimination

Black Americans faced barriers in Northern job markets.

Education Access

Freedmen's Bureau helped increase educational opportunities.

Migrant Movements

Black Americans relocating to frontier states for better opportunities.

Black Ministers

Leaders in Black communities, fostering social cohesion.

Political Power

Republicans sought to maintain control over Southern states.

Poverty

Result of job discrimination faced by Black Americans.

Social Problems

Issues arising from economic hardships in Black communities.

Union Army

Enforced Reconstruction policies in Southern military districts.

Southern Sympathizers

Individuals opposing Radical Reconstruction, favoring traditional values.

Carpetbaggers

Northerners exploiting South's economy post-Civil War.

Universal Male Suffrage

Political reform granting voting rights to all men.

Property Rights for Women

Legal rights allowing women to own property.

Welfare Systems

Programs established to support disadvantaged individuals.

Infrastructure Development

Improvements in transportation and public facilities.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

Hate group formed by Southern Civil War veterans.

Waving the Bloody Shirt

Republican tactic reminding voters of Civil War.

15th Amendment

Constitutional guarantee of voting rights for all citizens.

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Attempted to ensure equal rights in public spaces.

Election of 1876

Contested election leading to compromise and end of Reconstruction.

Compromise of 1877

Agreement ending Reconstruction in exchange for presidency.

Grandfather Clause

Voting eligibility based on grandfather's voting status.

Poll Tax

Fee required to vote, disproportionately affecting poor.

Literacy Test

Assessment to qualify for voting, often unfairly applied.

Laissez-faire Economics

Economic system with minimal government intervention.

Social Darwinism

Application of survival of the fittest to society.

Industrialization

Growth of factories and mass production systems.

Raw Materials

Natural resources used for manufacturing goods.

Expendable Workforce

Labor force that can be easily replaced.

Capital Investment

Funds provided for business development and growth.

Corporation-Friendly Government

Policies favoring business interests over regulation.

Andrew Johnson

17th U.S. President, faced impeachment post-Civil War.

Ulysses S. Grant

18th U.S. President and Civil War general.

Robber Barons

Wealthy industrialists exploiting labor and resources.

Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad connecting east and west, enhancing settlement.

Vertical Integration

Owning all production stages to increase profits.

Horizontal Integration

Acquiring competitors to dominate a market.

Gospel of Wealth

Philosophy advocating rich to help the poor.

Class System

Hierarchy from richest to poorest in society.

White Collar Workers

Professionals in non-manual skilled jobs.

Blue Collar Workers

Manual laborers in skilled jobs.

Wage Laborers

Low-paid workers facing dangerous conditions.

Assembly Line

Manufacturing process with repetitive tasks.

American Federation of Labor

Union for skilled workers advocating labor rights.

Knights of Labor

Inclusive labor union for all workers.

Strikes

Workers' protests for better conditions and pay.

Collective Bargaining

Negotiation between employers and employees.

Haymarket Bombing

Violent protest linked to labor movement.

Closed Shop

Union-only workplace ensuring job security.

Cartel

Group of businesses coordinating to fix prices.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Law aimed at curbing monopolies and trusts.

John D. Rockefeller

Oil magnate known for horizontal integration.

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Railroad and shipping tycoon of the era.

J.P. Morgan

Financier who influenced steel and railroads.

Civil Service Act

Reformed government hiring to reduce corruption.

Interstate Commerce Act

Regulated railroad rates and practices.