Intro to Reconstruction
Problems facing Post Civil War US
Political re-entry of formerly rebellious states
Economic devastation of the South
Education and support of freedmen
Actual emancipation happened at different times in different places.
Some plantation owners had to be forced by soldiers to release their slaves.
Ex) Juneteenth in Texas
Lincoln's Plan - Dec. 1863
Second Inaugural Address
Sought not to blame, but rather heal
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction plan (aka 10% Plan)
Pardon all Confederates who took loyalty oath
Radical Republicans
Supported:
Abolition
Destroy power of slaveholding planter class
Full citizenship and suffrage for African Americans
Included Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner
Opposed 10% plan as too soft
If 10% of voters took the oath, statehood would be re-established
Major goals: heal, strengthen Republican Party in the South
AK, LA, TN, VA accepted under these terms
Wade Davis Bill, July 1864
Stipulations:
Congress responsible for Reconstruction
Military governors to rule Southern states
Majority of citizens required to take loyalty oath
Attitude: South should be treated as conquered territory
Lincoln uses pocket veto, congress threatens Lincoln to stick to executive duties
Johnson's Plan, May 1865
AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TX could be readmitted if
Declared Secession illegal
Swore allegiance to the Union
Ratified the 13th amendment
Excluded Confederate leaders and wealthy southern landowners to take oath
Pardoned 13,000 Confederates
Felt Blacks should not gain right to vote
Some southern states did not fully comply
Viewed as too soft on the South by Radical Republicans, liked by many Southerners, (states' rights)
Southern Reaction to Reconstruction
Former Confederate officials elected to public office when eligible
Immediately try to turn back the clock in every way possible
Passage of black codes limiting rights of African Americans
Resentment of Freedmen's Bureau and occupying troops
Violence rose with the creation of the KKK and other terror groups
Creation of KKK
Formed by former confederate officers, soldiers, and politicians
Wives also heavily involved (WKKK)
Terror group with goal of:
Preventing African American voting
Keeping African Americans from running for office
Instituting rule by White Supremacy Intimidation using murder, sexual violence, et.
Legal system quickly corrupted