Reconstruction Lincoln - Johnson glossary key terms

13th Amendment

Constitutional amendment to abolish slavery, approved by Congress 31 Jan 1865, ratified by Dec 1865

14th Amendment

Section 1 Attempt to reinforce the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and embed in the Constitution Contains Privileges + Immunities / Due Process / Equal protection clauses

Sharecropping

A form of agriculture in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crops produced on their portion of land

Colonisation

An idea, supported by Lincoln, to settle ex-slaves in the Caribbean or Latin America

Crop lien system

Allowed sharecroppers and tenant farmers to obtain food / supplies on credit

Ten Percent Plan Dec 1863

Lincoln's early reconstruction plan, requiring 10% of a southern state's electorate to take an oath of allegiance to the Union before a new state government could be established

Wade-Davis Bill

Radical response to Lincoln's 10% plan, requiring 50% of a confederate state to take an 'ironclad oath' - that they never voluntarily supported the rebellion

Carpetbaggers

Northern whites who settled in the south ( carpet bag = suitcase )

Scalawags

Southern whites who supported the Republican Party

Civil Rights Act

1866 Aimed to guarantee minimal rights for black people

Black Codes

Introduced by southern governments, designed to ensure that black people remained 2nd class citizens. Most important codes insisted on labor contracts for blacks, to be renewed each year

Impeachment

The charging of a public official with an offence committed whilst in office

Veto

Constitutional right to reject / block a decision or proposal made by a legislative body

Tenure of Office Act

1867 Congress's attempt to bar Johnson from removing office-holders / cabinet members ( aimed to protect Sec. of War, Stanton )

15th Amendment

The right to vote should not be denied....on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.

Military Reconstruction Act

1867 Divided the 10 southern states into 5 military districts, each placed under a federal commander ( Tennessee not included )

Thaddeus Stevens

Radical Republican leader in Congress

Race Riots 1866

Violence erupted in Memphis and New Orleans, killing c. 90 blacks

Knights of the White Camelia

Political terrorist organisation in Louisiana, supporting white supremacy and opposing freedmen's rights

The National Union Movement

Andrew Johnson's attempt to unite democrats and conservative republicans ahead of the 1866 mid-terms

Command of the Army Act August 1867

Attempt by Congress to further weaken Johnson, by recognising the importance of the army in the Reconstruction process

Swing around the circle

1866 Johnson's disastrous speaking tour of the mid-west ahead of the mid-terms