RECONSTRUCTION

Reconstruction Overview

  • Reconstruction is the period following the American Civil War aimed at reintegrating the Southern states and defining new civil rights for freedmen.

Violence in the South

  • Question: Is the South more violent than the North?
    • Factors contributing to Southern violence include:
    • Slavery: The legacy and economic foundations of slavery fostered a violent culture.
    • Economic disincentives: The Southern economy struggled after the war, leading to unrest.
    • Pathology of violence: A societal mindset where violence is a legitimate means of conflict resolution.
    • Temperature: There may be a correlation between climate and levels of violence, with hotter areas experiencing more aggression.
    • Culture of honor: Societies that prioritize reputation see defense and maintenance of their honor escalate to violence.

Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan

  • Features of Lincoln’s approach:
    • Lenient: Aimed at rebuilding and reconciling rather than punishing.
    • Rapid: Intended to expedite the reintegration of Southern states.
    • Presidential: Lincoln took the lead in devising the plan.
    • 10% rule: Allowed a Southern state to re-enter the Union if 10% of its voters took an oath of allegiance to the Union.
    • Opposed executions for Confederate leadership, aiming for leniency and reconciliation.

Radical Republicans

  • Leaders: Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner advocated for a more stringent approach.
  • Requirements:
    • Majority of voters in the Southern states had to swear an oath that they did not support the Confederacy.
    • Proposal to revert Southern states to territory status; initiated the Wade-Davis Bill.

Johnson's Reconstruction Plan

  • Andrew Johnson’s policies were even more lenient than Lincoln's:
    • Required only a portion of citizens in each state to swear loyalty to the Union.
    • Owners of property valued over $20,000 needed to apply for a personal pardon from the President.
    • States were only required to nullify their declarations of secession.
    • Johnson did not execute a single Confederate for treason.

Freedmen’s Bureau

  • Established by the War Department in 1865 to assist former slaves:
    • Supervised relief and education for refugees and freedmen.
    • Issued food, clothing, and medicine to those in need.
    • Took control of confiscated Confederate property.
    • Mediation of contracts between freedmen and former employers to ensure fair labor practices.

Black Codes (1865-1867)

  • Series of discriminatory laws enacted in Southern states:
    • Aimed at restricting the rights and freedoms of freed African Americans.
    • Reflected the attempt to maintain white supremacy and control over the newly freed population.

Southern Civil War of Reconstruction (1865-1877)

  • During this time, white supremacists and ex-Confederate extremists engaged in:
    • Campaigns of terrorism, guerrilla tactics, and paramilitary action against both Unionists/Republicans and freed African Americans.
    • Activities included ethnic cleansing, political assassinations, and widespread violence.
    • Estimated 20,000 to 40,000 deaths occurred due to these violent campaigns.

Origins of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

  • Founded in Tennessee in 1865.
  • Gained prominence and power from 1868 to 1872.
  • The first Grand Wizard of the KKK, Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821–1877), was a Confederate general who led the organization.

Armed Resistance by Southern Black Men

  • Southern black men organized armed resistance groups for self-defense against violence and oppression.
    • Notably, the Union army disarmed many black soldiers, which undermined their ability to defend themselves.

Campaign of Intimidation and Violence

  • Various threats and violent campaigns aimed to instill fear in African Americans and support for white supremacy:
    • Included the use of deadly force during protests and at the polling places.
    • Major themes included the commitment to defend their rights at the polls and through all available means, including violence if deemed necessary.

Military Reconstruction Acts (1867 and onward)

  • Resulted in the reorganization of the South:
    • Created military districts to supervise elections and maintain order.
    • Did not deploy significant troop numbers, leading to limited enforcement of laws.
    • Failed to prosecute or adequately punish perpetrators of violent acts, which perpetuated instability in the region.