Reconstruction Notes

Flashcards about the Reconstruction era after the American Civil War, covering key questions, plans, amendments, and events.

What was Reconstruction?

An attempt to achieve national reunification and reconciliation after the Civil War and to improve the status of former slaves (freedmen).

What were the key questions during Reconstruction?

How do we bring the South back into the Union? How do we rebuild the South after its destruction during the war? How do we integrate and protect newly-emancipated black freedmen? What branch of government should control the process of Reconstruction?

What was done with the leaders of the Confederacy?

Jefferson Davis was imprisoned for two years, and President Johnson pardoned all rebel leaders in December 1868.

What was President Lincoln's 10% Plan?

Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (December 8, 1863).

What was the Wade-Davis Bill (1864)?

“Iron-Clad” Oath-50% State Suicide Theory. Conquered Provinces Position.

What was Lincoln's action regarding the Wade-Davis Bill?

Lincoln vetoed the Wade-Davis Bill.

What was the purpose of the Freedmen’s Bureau (1865)?

To help unskilled, uneducated, poverty-stricken ex-slaves survive by providing food, clothing, medicine, and education.

What does the 13th Amendment state?

Slavery was abolished and Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

What was the purpose of the Black Codes?

Guarantee stable labor supply now that blacks were emancipated. Restore pre-emancipation system of race relations. Forced many blacks to become sharecroppers.

What was President Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan (10%+)?

Offered amnesty upon simple oath to all except Confederate civil and military officers and those with property over $20,000. In new constitutions, they must accept minimum conditions repudiating slavery, secession, and state debts.

What actions provoked Congress to react strongly during Reconstruction?

Former Confederate leaders began being elected to high office and Black Codes in 1866.

What did the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 do?

Gave blacks citizenship and aimed to destroy the Black Codes.

What was the purpose of the 14th Amendment?

Provide a constitutional guarantee of the rights and security of freed people. Insure against neo-Confederate political power. Enshrine the national debt while repudiating that of the Confederacy.

What were the Reconstruction Acts of 1867?

Military Reconstruction Act, Command of the Army Act, and Tenure of Office Act.

What did the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 do?

Dissolved Southern state governments, placed them under military rule, enfranchised freedmen, and required new state constitutions and ratification of the 14th Amendment.

What were the key components of the Military Reconstruction Act (March, 1867)?

The South divided into five military districts, and Congress required seceded states to ratify the 14th Amendment and guarantee full suffrage for blacks.

What was the Tenure of Office Act?

President couldn't remove senate-approved appointees without the approval of the Senate.

What led to President Johnson’s Impeachment?

President Johnson removed Stanton in February 1868 and The House impeached him on February 24 by a vote of 126 – 47.

What was sharecropping?

sharecroppers rented land and paid the owner with a share of the crop - 50% both blacks and whites participated system led many sharecroppers into perpetual debt

What does the 15th Amendment state?

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

What were the purposes of the 15th Amendment?

Ensure state guarantees of suffrage if southerners took control of Congress in the future and Strengthen Republican control of southern states.

What did the 15th Amendment guarantee?

Guaranteed federal voting.

Where was the KKK founded?

Tennessee in 1866

What was the goal of the Ku Klux Klan?

Overthrow Reconstruction governments in the South and Replace them with white supremacy oriented Democratic governments.

What was the Ku Klux Klan?

Essentially a rebellion against radical rule and terror wing of Democratic party.

What did US vs Cruikshank do?

Made it hard for the federal government to safeguard civil rights

What was the KKK Act?

Enforcement Acts of 1870 & 1871

What led to the rise of the Solid South?

White supremacist Solid South dominated by Democrats in each state.

What did Redeemers seek to do?

Sought to undo changes brought about by the Civil War.

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1875 do?

Crime for any individual to deny full & equal use of public conveyances and public places and Prohibited discrimination jury selection.

Why did the U.S. purchase Alaska in 1867?

Government felt obligated not to shun Russia’s offer since Russia had been very friendly to the North during the Civil War.

What did the Slaughterhouse Cases of 1873 determine?

14th Amendment protected against federal infringements of abridged privileges and immunities, not state infringements.