Reconstruction pt2

Overview of Reconstruction Era

• The assassination of John Wilkes Booth is mentioned, clarifying that the speaker mistakenly says John Wolf.
• Historical context: Lincoln's assassination catalyzes changes in Reconstruction strategies and policies.

Lincoln's Death and Reconstruction

• Lincoln's murder alters the course of Reconstruction.
• Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction:
  • Attempted to revert policies as if the Civil War never occurred.
  • Preserved oppressive systems akin to slavery.

Congressional Response to Reconstruction

• Congress reacts to Johnson's leniency by enforcing stricter Reconstruction measures.
• Aims of the Congressional Reconstruction:
  • Significant transformation of Southern life.
  • Protection of civil rights for freedmen and freedwomen in the South.
• Implementation of the Military Reconstruction Act to support these changes.

Political Conflict Between Johnson and Congress

• Conflict arises with President Johnson over reconstruction policy.
  • Congress attempts impeachment due to disagreements.
  • Note: Johnson technically impeached but not removed from office (similar to Trump and Clinton).

Civil Rights Amendments

• Passage of crucial amendments:
  • 14th Amendment: Establishes civil rights.
  • 15th Amendment: Guarantees voting rights to African American men.

Election of Ulysses S. Grant (1868)

• Johnson's presidency concludes, leading to the election of Ulysses S. Grant.
• Grant's prior military background:
  • General who led the Union Army and won crucial battles including Shiloh and Vicksburg.
• Grant's presidency notable for both support for and issues within Reconstruction.

Military Reconstruction Under Grant

• Grant endorses congressional military reconstruction.
• Military ensures rights for African Americans, preventing a return to slavery or segregation.

Challenges During Grant's Presidency

• Grant's administration struggles with economic issues:
  • Economic corruption in his administration, leading to significant scandals and scandals.
  • Corruption examples:
  • Secretaries of treasury accumulating wealth through theft.
• Economic downturn: Panic of 1873 occurs during Grant's presidency, adversely affecting public perception of Reconstruction.

Positive Developments in Reconstruction (1868-1872)

• Positive early years of Grant's presidency result in high African American political participation:
  • Notable political achievements include:
  • Over 600 black legislators elected.
  • Emergence of two black congressmen and participation in creating state governments.
• Voting access enabled through military oversight.

Rise of Terrorist Groups and Response

• Formation of the Ku Klux Klan and their objectives:
  • Violent backlash against African American political participation.
  • Tactics of intimidation, including lynching and violence against both African Americans and Northerners supporting them.
• Groups aiming to reinstate white supremacy and dismantle African American political progress.

Decline of Reconstruction and Systemic Racism

• Impact of military withdrawal and subsequent elections on Reconstruction:
  • As military protects black voters, their removal allows white Southerners to regain control.
• The Compromise of 1877 leads to:
  • Withdrawal of Union troops from the South under Hayes' presidency.
  • Collapse of Reconstruction efforts as black political participation decreases.

Establishment of Jim Crow Laws and Segregation

• Post-Reconstruction era characterized by Jim Crow laws:
  • Segregation policies emerge, creating systemic inequalities.
  • Duration of Jim Crow: From 1877 until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

Conclusion of Lecture

• Emphasis on negative outcomes of the Reconstruction Era due to withdrawal of federal protection.
• Acknowledgment of historical significance and ramifications of Reconstruction policies on future civil rights movements.
• End of discussion on Reconstruction with a reflection on the difficulty in framing a positive conclusion after this period in history.