Reconstruction

Reconstruction 1865-Reconstruction 1865-18771877

• Re-building of the South after the Civil War

• Process of re-admitting Confederate states back into the United States

Lincoln’s PlanLincoln’s Plan• Pardon all

Southerners who swear allegiance to the Union, except Confederate leaders and those accused of crimes against prisoners of war

Lincoln’s PlanLincoln’s Plan• Once 10% of

voting population did so, the States could form new governments and send representatives to Congress

Lincoln AssassinatedLincoln Assassinated

• April 14, 1865• Lincoln is

shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater

Lincoln AssassinatedLincoln Assassinated

• Lincoln dies next day

• Andrew Johnson assumes presidency

Andrew Johnson’s Plan

• Same as Lincoln’s Plan

• PLUS each former Confederate State had to ratify 13th Amendment

13th Amendment - ends slaveryDecember 1865

Congress and Pres. Congress and Pres. Johnson clash over Johnson clash over

Reconstruction Reconstruction PlansPlans

Radical Republicans’ PlanRadical Republicans’ Plan

• Leader Thaddeus Stevens

• Believed the States did secede

• Wanted to punish the Southern States for the rebellion

Radical Republicans’ PlanRadical Republicans’ Plan

• Congress had the constitutional power to readmit the States not the President

• Wanted all African Americans to be given full citizenship and voting rights

Southern PunishmentSouthern Punishment

• Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 –Divided south into 5 military controlled

districts

Southern PunishmentSouthern Punishment

• Freedmen’s Bureau - provided food, medicine, and education to freed Blacks

• 14th Amendment – defined citizenship to include former slaves;

banned discrimination

ImpeachmentImpeachment• Congress passes the

Tenure of Office Act to control Johnson.

• He defies it and is impeached.

• He falls one vote short of being removed from office.