Chapter 17Chapter 17

Reconstruction 1863-1877

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Wartime Reconstruction PlansWartime Reconstruction Plans

Initially, Lincoln encouraged black emigration Later adopted Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Required oath of allegiance and abolition of slavery Implemented in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee in early 1864 Reconstruction began in earnest elsewhere in 1865

Many Republicans opposed Lincoln’s plans as too lenient Didn’t seem to provide for black equality

Radical Republicans came up with their own plan Wanted to give freed slaves real economic and political power Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill, 1864

Strict requirements for Confederate loyalty oaths Vetoed by Lincoln

Andrew Johnson’s Andrew Johnson’s Reconstruction PlansReconstruction Plans Radical Republicans initially thought he would go

along with their plans Instead Johnson pursued his own policy

Blanket amnesty for all but the highest-ranking Confederates Proclamation for drafting of new state constitutions Planned to exclude both blacks and upper-class whites from

reconstruction

Congressional Republicans not fond of Johnson’s plans Wanted blacks to be involved in the political process

Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan in Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan in PracticePractice Few of the new state constitutions enfranchised blacks Some states even balked at ratifying Thirteenth amendment Issued pardons to virtually all Southerners Former Confederates deeply involved in new state governments Some Southern states passed “Black Codes” in the fall of 1865

Instituted system of quasi-slavery Designed to codify white-black relations, which were in disarray

Practical Solutions to Problems Practical Solutions to Problems Facing Freed SlavesFacing Freed Slaves Freedmen’s Bureau, 1865

Oversaw relations between former slaves and owners Viewed with hostility by some Southern whites

Land redistribution Plans for distributing land to freed people not successful

Education Freedmen’s Bureau and missionary societies active Trained teachers and founded black colleges in South

Congressional ReconstructionCongressional Reconstruction

By end of 1865, Republicans determined to take control Refused to recognize new state governments or their leaders Determined to institute stronger federal controls to protect black

rights Conflict ensued between Congress and the president

Extended life of Freedmen’s Bureau Defined freedmen as citizens with equal legal rights

Fourteenth Amendment, 1865 Far-reaching consequences

Debate over Reconstruction carried over into elections of 1866

Congressional Reconstruction Congressional Reconstruction (cont.)

Johnson constructed National Union Party to oppose congressional plans

Republicans swept the elections Set the stage for stringent reconstruction terms

Reconstruction Acts of 1867 Instituted military rule of South until procedures for

Reconstruction had been completed Set conditions for full re-entry into the Union Embodied a true revolution Generated opposition among Southern Democrats Johnson worked to thwart congressional plans

Hoped to delay process until election of 1868

Impeachment of Andrew JohnsonImpeachment of Andrew Johnson

President’s determination to block reconstruction stepped up after 1867

Violated Tenure of Office Act in February 1968 Ostensible reason for impeachment

Impeachment trial long and complicated President acquitted But damage had been done to Johnson’s relationship with

Congress

Completion of Formal Completion of Formal ReconstructionReconstruction New state constitutions in winter and spring of 1867-68 were very

progressive Seven states had been readmitted by the spring of 1868 Three remaining states readmitted by 1870 Spawned Ku Klux Klan among opponents

Fourteenth Amendment incorporated into Constitution in summer of 1868

Fifteenth Amendment Protected voting rights

Election of 1868 Referendum on Republican reconstruction policy Republicans ran Ulysses S. Grant Democrats nominated Horatio Seymour Campaign involved intimidation of black voters Grant won, due to significant support from black voters

The Grant AdministrationThe Grant Administration

Subordinates involved in scandals, but extent probably exaggerated

Success in instituting civil service reform Pendleton Act, 1883 Abolish much-maligned spoils system Grant supported reform Resisted by many legislators who relied on patronage for support

Mixed record in foreign policy Scandal over treaty with Santa Domingo Treaty of Washington settled outstanding “Alabama claims” Normalization of relations with Canada

The Johnson Administration and The Johnson Administration and the “Southern Question”the “Southern Question” Carpetbaggers and Scalawags Ku Klux Klan and other terror organizations

Aim was to destroy the Republican party

Resort to Federal intervention to stabilize situation in the South Made interference with voting rights a federal offense Made deprivation of civil or political rights a felony Suspension of habeas corpus and use of troops to stop

resistance to federal law Succeeded in breaking back of Klan before Election of 1872

The Johnson Administration and The Johnson Administration and the “Southern Question” the “Southern Question” (cont.) Election of 1872

Republicans stuck with Grant Dissident “Liberal” Republicans went with Horace Greeley Democrats also nominated Greeley’ Grant won overwhelming victory

Panic of 1873 Speculation in railroad industry collapsed, initiating five-year

depression

Retreat from ReconstructionRetreat from Reconstruction

Democratic gains in elections of 18774 Loss of public support for the Republican policies in the south

Northerners tiring of turmoil of Reconstruction Only four states still under federal control

South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana Democrats took control of Mississippi in 1875

States took control to replace Republican control with Democrats Grant went along

Congress and the Supreme Court pulling back from federal control Appropriations withheld for measures of control Court decisions restricted federal action

Election of 1876Election of 1876

Reform would be key issue Democrats nominated Samuel J. Tilden

Entered campaign as favorites for first time in twenty years Bulldozed black voters to keep them from the polls

Required intervention of federal troops to stop violence

Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes Initial results were disputed

Tilden carried almost all Southern states plus four Northern states, including New York

Outcome unsure in three states still under Republican control Seemed that Tilden had probably won at least two of them

Election of 1876 Election of 1876 (cont.)

Official results gave all disputed states, and the presidency, to Hayes

Divided control of Congress made agreement impossible

Special commission created with nominal Republican majority

Compromise of 1877 Hayes declared winner End of “bayonet” rule in the South Other concessions to South

End of Reconstruction after inauguration of Hayes

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