6.3 Divided Republicans and Reconstruction Era

Explain the issues that divided the Republicans during the early Reconstruction era.

Even before the Civil War ended, Congress began discussing the reconstruction of the nation.
President Lincoln introduced his "10% Plan".
The Wade-Davis Bill emerged in Congress, revealing disagreements with President Lincoln, who ultimately did not sign it because it was deemed insufficiently harsh.
President Andrew Johnson's succession after Lincoln's assassination led to significant shifts in the direction of Reconstruction.
The stage was set for conflict when Congress reconvened in December 1865.

Black Codes became a major point of contention in Congress.
These laws were enacted by almost all new Southern state governments.
They severely restricted the freedoms of African Americans.
Southern state governments prioritized the interests of white citizens and sought to keep African Americans subordinate.

Forced African Americans to work as servants or farm laborers.
Required signing contracts with work conditions similar to those under slavery.
Unemployed individuals could be arrested and punished with a year of unpaid labor.
Attempting to leave a job resulted in arrest and the same punishment.
Prohibited freedmen from owning guns, holding public meetings, or renting property in cities.

Republicans in Congress were divided on how to respond to the Black Codes.
Moderate Republicans:
- Advocated for treating African Americans as citizens with equal rights.
- Recognized that the Black Codes contradicted this ideal.
Radical Republicans:
- Believed federal intervention was necessary to change the new state governments.
- Argued that Southern states could not rebuild without federal leadership.
- Feared that former Confederate leaders were attempting to restore pre-Civil War conditions.

Leaders: Thaddeus Stevens (Pennsylvania) and Charles Sumner (Massachusetts).
Criticized President Johnson's plan.
Advocated for a stricter Reconstruction to ensure civil rights for African Americans.
Prioritized the right to vote and fair laws.

Radicals gained support from moderate Republicans due to President Johnson's insufficient response to the Black Codes.

President Johnson campaigned for the Democrats, but his confrontational style likely harmed their cause.
Race-related riots in Memphis and New Orleans influenced voters.
Republicans gained a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.
This created a conflict between the Republican-controlled legislative branch and the Democratic executive branch.

Stevens was buried in a predominantly black cemetery in Pennsylvania.
His tombstone inscription reflected his lifelong advocacy for racial equality:
- "I repose in this quiet and secluded spot, not from any natural preference for solitude, but finding other cemeteries limited as to race by charter rules, I have chosen this that I might illustrate in my death the principles which I advocated through a long life, equality of man before his creator."

Work hours: sunrise to sunset, except on Sundays.
Former slaves were required to wake up at dawn.
Pay deductions for lost work time, food, and medicine expenses.
Loss of pay for sick time.
House servants were on call 24/7 and expected to be polite to the master and family.
District judges could order punishments for code violations.