1

Page 1: The Constitutional Amendments and Early Reconstruction

Key Amendments and Events

• Thirteenth Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery in the United States.

• Fourteenth Amendment (1868): Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves.

• Fifteenth Amendment (1870): Prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Timeline of Events (1865-1899)

1. 1865: Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

2. 1868: Ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, assures political rights to freed slaves.

3. 1870: The Fifteenth Amendment grants African Americans the right to vote.

4. 1874-1875: Brooks-Baxter War occurs; escalated political violence in Arkansas.

5. Economic Factors: Notable financial impacts on agrarian society, including fluctuating cotton prices.

Political Context

• The period marked fierce debates over the amendments that significantly altered the social and political landscape of the South.

• Variations in acceptance and resistance to these amendments created divisions within Arkansas and beyond.

Page 2: Understanding Reconstruction

Importance of Reconstruction

• Crucial for national unity post-Civil War, addressing hate and violence stemming from the conflict.

• Unlike many nations experiencing civil wars, the U.S. avoided long periods of blame and instead focused on rebuilding.

Big Picture Questions

1. Conflicts in Arkansas: Examination of political changes during Reconstruction, including racial tensions and legislative changes.

2. Economic Analysis: Relationship of sharecropping, new businesses, and the manufacturing society's impact.

3. Citizens’ Experiences: Investigating how various groups were affected during Reconstruction.

Pluralism in Society

• Reconstruction was a pivotal time in promoting a pluralistic society where diverse groups could pursue individual goals and rights.

• Marked the transition toward a labor-based economy and ideals of equality among citizens.

Page 3: Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan

Lincoln and Johnson's Impact

• Lincoln’s Approach: Sought leniency and rapid reintegration of Southern states into the Union.

• Key Figures: John Wilkes Booth (Lincoln's assassin), Vice President Johnson, and their varying philosophies on punishment and forgiveness.

Events of Lincoln's Assassination

• April 14, 1865: Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre; significant loss for the nation and a setback for Reconstruction efforts.

• Key Players: John Wilkes Booth, conspiring individuals including Mary Surratt.

• Aftermath: Booth's escape and ultimate demise led to trials and public outcry for justice.

Congress and Reconstruction Policies

• Johnson’s Presidency: Aimed for a quick reunification but faced opposition due to leniency towards former Confederates.

Page 4: Political Factions and Reconstruction Complexity

Radical Reconstruction

• Emerged in response to the failure of initial Reconstruction efforts; aimed to ensure rights for newly freed slaves.

• Impeachment of Johnson: Highlighting conflicts between presidential leniency and congressional demands for harsher policies.

Legislative Reforms

• Enactment of various Reconstruction Acts; attempts to register voters and ensure civil rights.

• Change in political climate with Radical Republicans taking control.

Page 5: Challenges and Local Governance

Political Infighting and Challenges

• Fractionalization of the Republican Party leading to chaos; internal conflicts, notably the Brooks-Baxter War.

• Local governance issues under previous Confederate influences.

Page 6: Railroads and Economic Development

Infrastructure Growth

• Importance of railroads in economic development during Reconstruction, and the financial implications of state investments.

• Role of education systems in promoting literacy and development, even if segregated.

Page 7: Political Power Dynamics

Racial and Economic Struggles

• Discussion around carpetbaggers and scalawags in the political sphere, and the subsequent rise of the Ku Klux Klan as a reactionary force.

• Political Power: How African Americans faced challenges in political participation and economic stability.

Page 8: Governance and Economic Strain

State Economy and Systems

• Pressure from poverty and limited resources on implementing programs; the foundation laid for future economic struggles.

Page 9: Conflict and Social Strife

Brooks-Baxter War Overview

• Civil conflict resulting from disputed election leading to enforcement of martial law.

Page 10: Everyday Life in Reconstruction Arkansas

Life on Small Farms

• A glimpse of rural life, emphasizing the self-sufficient lifestyle of Arkansas families in the post-war era.

Page 11: The Rise of Democratic Control

Democratic-Confederate Movements

• Post-war period marked by conservative leadership aiming to diminish Republican influence and economic progress.

Page 12: Education and Taxation Policies

Budgetary Concerns

• Consequences of low-tax policies on education and state-funded projects.

Page 13: Farmers’ Movements

Grangers and Agricultural Wheel

• Organizing efforts by farmers to combat economic challenges and political disenfranchisement.

Page 14: Jim Crow Laws

Disenfranchisement of African Americans

• Legislative measures aimed at reducing African American participation in politics, culminating in a series of oppressive laws.

Page 15: Conclusion of Reconstruction

• Overview of the impact of Reconstruction policies and social movements on the trajectory of Arkansas.