Notes on Congressional Reconstruction

Andrew Johnson: considered the "wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Comparison to Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln saved the Union and ended slavery, while Johnson is viewed as incompetent and politically inept.
Johnson's political approaches often misaligned with the needs of the country during reconstruction.

In 1867-68, Johnson conflicted with Congressional Republicans, particularly the Radical Republicans.
Radical Republicans' Vision:
- Wanted a stricter reconstruction plan to reunite the nation.
- Disagreed with Johnson's lenient policies toward the South.
Vetoes by Johnson:
- Multiple vetoes on legislation aimed at aiding freedmen, e.g., the Freedmen's Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
Electoral backlash against Johnson grew due to his decisions.

Freedmen's Bureau Bill:
- Established to aid freed slaves transitioning from slavery to citizenship.
- Johnson's veto indicated his belief in state control.
Civil Rights Act of 1866:
- Johnson's veto shocked Republicans; Congress overrode it.
Military Reconstruction Acts (Army Bill):
- Required presidential orders related to the army to pass through the General in Chief (Ulysses S. Grant).
- Reduced Johnson's authority as Commander-in-Chief.
Tenure of Office Act:
- Restricted the president's ability to dismiss cabinet members without Senate approval.
- Aimed to protect Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, an opponent of Johnson.

Johnson attempts to force Stanton to resign; results in Stanton barricading himself in his office.
- Dramatized tension led to Congressional anger.
Impeachment Articles:
- Six counts against Johnson for “high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
- Senate trial led by Chief Justice Salmon Chase.
- Ultimately, Johnson is acquitted; he did not get removed from office.
Post-impeachment, Johnson's power diminished significantly.

With Johnson sidelined, Congress (dominated by Republicans) took charge of reconstruction.
Differences in Visions:
- Johnson promoted leniency versus Congressional aim to reshape Southern society.
Southern states were now considered conquered territory.
Motivations for Congressional Republicans included:
1. Revenge: Desire to make the South feel the consequences of its actions during the Civil War.
2. Idealism: Protect and promote the rights of freedmen.
3. Politics: Power dynamics; ensure Southern representation favored Republicans.
4. Balance of Power: Limit presidential power and restore Congressional authority.

Congress passes amendments: 13th (abolition of slavery), 14th (citizen rights), and 15th (voting rights).
Southern states divided into military districts.
New Republican-led governments established, often criticized as corrupt.

Grant becomes President in 1868; continued support for Reconstruction.
Implemented military action against Ku Klux Klan violence.
Grant's Administration: Reputed for corruption attached to associates, yet personally not implicated.
Faced difficulties balancing political power and enforcement of civil rights.

Key elections and compromises (e.g., the 1876 election of Rutherford B. Hayes).
Amnesty Act of 1872 reinstates rights to many ex-Confederates.
By 1877, federal authority withdrawn from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction.

Discussions on the implications of Reconstruction and debates about who "won" it.
Acknowledgment of ongoing racial tensions and challenges in the South after Reconstruction.
Reflection on how history acknowledges the successes and failures of this era.

Themes of revenge vs. rehabilitation continue to resonate in discussions about race relations, justice, and civil rights.