Chapter 17Chapter 17

Reconstruction 1863–1877

Web

Wartime ReconstructionWartime Reconstruction Initially, Lincoln encouraged black emigration Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Required oath of allegiance and abolition of slavery Implemented in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee in 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 and ReconstructionAndrew Johnson and Reconstruction

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

Andrew Johnson and ReconstructionAndrew Johnson and Reconstruction (cont)

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 autumn of 1865 Instituted system of quasi-slavery Designed to codify white–black relations, which were in

disarray

Andrew Johnson and ReconstructionAndrew Johnson and Reconstruction (cont)

Freedmen’s Bureau, 1865 Oversaw relations between former slaves and owners Viewed with hostility by some Southern whites

Land redistribution 40 acres and a mule 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

Advent of Congressional ReconstructionAdvent of Congressional 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 ReconstructionCongressional 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 Scalawags and carpetbaggers Instituted military rule of South until procedures for

Reconstruction had been completed Set conditions for full re-entry into the Union 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

Johnson’s determination to block radical 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

Impeachment of JohnsonImpeachment of Johnson (cont)(cont)

New state constitutions in winter and spring of 1867–1868 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 included into Constitution in 1868

Fifteenth Amendment Protected voting rights

Impeachment of JohnsonImpeachment of Johnson (cont)(cont)

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 Whiskey ring and Credit Mobilier

Success in instituting civil service reform Pendleton Act, 1883

Abolished 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

Grant AdministrationGrant Administration (cont)

Carpetbaggers and Scalawags Ku Klux Klan and other terror organizations

Aim was to destroy the Republican party Resorted 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

Grant AdministrationGrant Administration (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 1874 Loss of support for the Republicans in the South

Northerners tiring of the 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 1876Election 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

Web

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Compare presidential and congressional plans for Reconstruction. Which would have been best for the nation?

Consider the impeachment of Johnson. Was it justified? Should he have been removed from office?

Examine the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution. What did they accomplish?

Examine Grant’s administration. What were his successes and failures? Was his a successful presidency?