Chapter 22Chapter 22

““The Ordeal of The Ordeal of Reconstruction” Reconstruction”

4 Questions that had to be 4 Questions that had to be addressed post-waraddressed post-war

1.1. How will the South be How will the South be reconstructed?reconstructed?

2.2. How would liberated slaves be How would liberated slaves be dealt with in the South?dealt with in the South?

3.3. How would Southern states be How would Southern states be readmitted to the Union?readmitted to the Union?

4.4. Who would direct the process of Who would direct the process of reconstruction?reconstruction?

Aftermath of Civil WarAftermath of Civil War

► The Southern way The Southern way of life was of life was ruined, as crops ruined, as crops and farms were and farms were destroyed, the destroyed, the slaves were now slaves were now free, and the free, and the cities were bombed cities were bombed out, but still, out, but still, some Southerners some Southerners remained defiant.remained defiant.

Atlanta Depot, after Sherman's departure

Freedom For Former Freedom For Former SlavesSlaves

► Confusion after war in regard to freedom Confusion after war in regard to freedom for slaves. Some plantation owners for slaves. Some plantation owners resisted.resisted.

► Eventually all plantation owners had to Eventually all plantation owners had to give up their slaves, and afterwards tens give up their slaves, and afterwards tens of thousands of Blacks took to the roads of thousands of Blacks took to the roads to find new work or look for lost loved to find new work or look for lost loved ones.ones.

► Emancipation also meant education for Emancipation also meant education for Blacks, but despite all the gains Blacks Blacks, but despite all the gains Blacks made, they still faced severe made, they still faced severe discrimination and would have to wait a discrimination and would have to wait a century before attaining their rights century before attaining their rights

SharecroppingSharecropping

© 1999 by Addison Wesley Longman

SharecroppingSharecropping

SharecroppersSource: Schomburg Collection,

New York Public Library

Dorthea LangeA Thirteen Year Old Sharecropper Boy Plowing A Field, Near Americus, Georgia

FreedmenFreedmen

"Group of Freedmen, Richmond, Va." Shows a black family and men seated along the canal with the ruins

in the background.

Freedmen’s BureauFreedmen’s Bureau

► In order to train the In order to train the newly freed slaves, the newly freed slaves, the Freedman’s BureauFreedman’s Bureau was was set up on March 3, 1865; set up on March 3, 1865; Union General Union General Oliver O. Oliver O. HowardHoward headed it headed it

► Provided food, clothing, Provided food, clothing, education and medicine education and medicine to newly freed slavesto newly freed slaves

► Greatest success seen in Greatest success seen in the field of educationthe field of education

► Johnson Vetoed the Johnson Vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau Freedmen’s Bureau numerous times. numerous times. Congress always overrode Congress always overrode his vetohis veto

Post-War Difficulties For Post-War Difficulties For FreedmenFreedmen

Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson► Became President after Became President after

the death of Lincolnthe death of Lincoln► Former Democrat from the Former Democrat from the

Confederate state of Confederate state of Tennessee who was the Tennessee who was the only southern Congressman only southern Congressman to refuse to secede with to refuse to secede with his statehis state

► Chosen by Lincoln as VP Chosen by Lincoln as VP in 1864 because of the in 1864 because of the need for border state need for border state votesvotes

► Essentially a no-win Essentially a no-win situation for Johnson situation for Johnson because he was a Southern because he was a Southern slave-owning Democrat at slave-owning Democrat at a time when there were a time when there were very few Democrat in very few Democrat in CongressCongress

Lincoln’s 10% Plan for Lincoln’s 10% Plan for ReconstructionReconstruction

►Once ten percent of a southern Once ten percent of a southern state's 1860 voters had taken an state's 1860 voters had taken an oath of loyalty, the state could oath of loyalty, the state could rejoin the Union.rejoin the Union.

►"With malice toward none, with "With malice toward none, with charity for all" charity for all"

►““Technically speaking since Technically speaking since secession was illegal southern secession was illegal southern states did not really secede.”states did not really secede.”

Wade-Davis Congressional Wade-Davis Congressional ReconstructionReconstruction

► Believed the South should be punished for Believed the South should be punished for starting the war and hoped to protect the starting the war and hoped to protect the rights of Freedmen (former slaves). rights of Freedmen (former slaves).

► A bill that required 50% of the states’ A bill that required 50% of the states’ voters to take oaths of allegiance and voters to take oaths of allegiance and demanded stronger safeguards for demanded stronger safeguards for emancipation than the 10% Plan, through emancipation than the 10% Plan, through Congress.Congress.

► Lincoln pocket-vetoed the bill by Lincoln pocket-vetoed the bill by letting it expire, and the 10% Plan letting it expire, and the 10% Plan stayed stayed

Johnson’s 10% Plan For Johnson’s 10% Plan For ReconstructionReconstruction

1.1. Recognition of Lincoln’s 10% PlanRecognition of Lincoln’s 10% Plan

2.2. Called for special state conventions Called for special state conventions to repeal the Confederate states to repeal the Confederate states ordinances of secessionordinances of secession

3.3. Repudiation of all Confederate debtsRepudiation of all Confederate debts

4.4. Ratification of 13Ratification of 13thth Amendment – Amendment – freedom for slavesfreedom for slaves

► Republicans were furious with Republicans were furious with Johnson’s easy terms for SouthJohnson’s easy terms for South

► Pardoned many ConfederatesPardoned many Confederates

Radical RepublicansRadical Republicans► The Radicals, a faction of the The Radicals, a faction of the

regular Republican Party, came regular Republican Party, came into prominence on the into prominence on the national level after 1860 national level after 1860

► They supported immediate They supported immediate emancipation and led the fight emancipation and led the fight for ratification of the 13th for ratification of the 13th Amendment Amendment

► During the war, the Radicals During the war, the Radicals were critical of Abraham were critical of Abraham Lincoln, a member of their own Lincoln, a member of their own party. The chief complaints party. The chief complaints about the president were that: about the president were that: Lincoln had thwarted the Lincoln had thwarted the

emancipation efforts of two of emancipation efforts of two of his military commanders, John his military commanders, John C. Frémont and David Hunter C. Frémont and David Hunter

Lincoln had (initially) Lincoln had (initially) opposed the use of black opposed the use of black soldiers in the Union Armysoldiers in the Union Army

Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan was too lenient was too lenient

Thaddeus Stevens

Charles Sumner

Black CodesBlack Codes

► In order to control the newly freed In order to control the newly freed slaves, many Southern states passed Black slaves, many Southern states passed Black Codes, laws aimed at keeping the African-Codes, laws aimed at keeping the African-American population in submission; some American population in submission; some were harsh, others were not as harsh were harsh, others were not as harsh

► The codes forbade African-Americans from The codes forbade African-Americans from serving on a jury and some even barred serving on a jury and some even barred them from renting or leasing land, and them from renting or leasing land, and African-Americans could be punished for African-Americans could be punished for “idleness” by being subjected to working “idleness” by being subjected to working on a chain gang on a chain gang

Post-War Congressional Post-War Congressional SituationSituation

► In December, 1865, when many of the Southern In December, 1865, when many of the Southern states came to be reintegrated into the Union, states came to be reintegrated into the Union, among them were former Confederates and among them were former Confederates and Democrats, and most Republicans were disgusted to Democrats, and most Republicans were disgusted to see their former enemies on hand to reclaim seats see their former enemies on hand to reclaim seats in Congress.in Congress.

► Northerners now realized that the South would be Northerners now realized that the South would be stronger politically than before, since now, stronger politically than before, since now, Blacks counted for a whole person instead of just Blacks counted for a whole person instead of just 3/5 of one, and Republicans also feared that the 3/5 of one, and Republicans also feared that the Northern and Southern Democrats would join and Northern and Southern Democrats would join and take over Congress and the White House and take over Congress and the White House and institute their Black Codes over the nation, institute their Black Codes over the nation, defeating all that the Civil War gained defeating all that the Civil War gained

► Republicans enjoyed the power that they possessed Republicans enjoyed the power that they possessed during the war and wanted to keep it for as long during the war and wanted to keep it for as long as possibleas possible

Johnson v. CongressJohnson v. Congress

► Vetoed the Freeman’s Bureau many timesVetoed the Freeman’s Bureau many times► Vetoed the Civil Rights Bill , which Vetoed the Civil Rights Bill , which

conferred on blacks the privilege of conferred on blacks the privilege of American citizenship and struck at the American citizenship and struck at the Black Codes.Black Codes.

► As Republicans gained control of As Republicans gained control of Congress, they overrode Johnson’s vetoes Congress, they overrode Johnson’s vetoes by passing the bills over his veto by passing the bills over his veto through a 2/3 majority through a 2/3 majority

► Urged the Southern states to reject the Urged the Southern states to reject the 1414thth Amendment Amendment

1414thth Amendment Amendment

1.1. Citizenship for African-AmericansCitizenship for African-Americans2.2. Reduction in Representation in the House if Reduction in Representation in the House if

state denied African-Americans the right to votestate denied African-Americans the right to vote3.3. Disqualified Confederate leaders from holding Disqualified Confederate leaders from holding

officeoffice4.4. Repudiation of the Confederate war debtRepudiation of the Confederate war debt► Congress said that states could be readmitted to Congress said that states could be readmitted to

the Union upon ratification of the 14the Union upon ratification of the 14thth Amendment.Amendment.

► Johnson urged states to reject the amendmentJohnson urged states to reject the amendment► All Confederates states except Tennessee All Confederates states except Tennessee

rejectedrejected► Tennessee ratified the amendment and was Tennessee ratified the amendment and was

rewarded with immediate statehood.rewarded with immediate statehood.

Reconstruction Act of Reconstruction Act of 18671867

► During the 1866 Congressional elections During the 1866 Congressional elections the Radical Republicans won a majority in the Radical Republicans won a majority in Congress. Now Reconstruction could go Congress. Now Reconstruction could go their way.their way.

1.1. Divided the 10 Confederate states (minus Divided the 10 Confederate states (minus Tennessee) into 5 military districts Tennessee) into 5 military districts controlled by a Union general and the U.S. controlled by a Union general and the U.S. ArmyArmy

2.2. Required ratification of the 14Required ratification of the 14thth Amendment Amendment3.3. Excluded any Confederate general or Excluded any Confederate general or

soldier or anyone who served in the soldier or anyone who served in the Confederacy from voting or holding officeConfederacy from voting or holding office

Reconstruction Reconstruction AmendmentsAmendments

13th Amendment 13th Amendment ►Freedom for slavesFreedom for slaves

1414thth Amendment Amendment►Citizenship for African-American menCitizenship for African-American men

1515thth Amendment Amendment►Voting rights for African-American menVoting rights for African-American men

**Women suffrage advocates were **Women suffrage advocates were disappointed by the 13th, 14th, and 15th disappointed by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, since they didn’t give women Amendments, since they didn’t give women full suffrage full suffrage

African-Americans African-Americans PoliticallyPolitically

► African-American African-American men also began to men also began to hold political hold political offices, as men offices, as men like Hiram Revels like Hiram Revels and Blanche K. and Blanche K. Bruce served in Bruce served in Congress (they Congress (they represented represented Mississippi).Mississippi).

Blanche K. Bruce

Hiram Revels

CarpetbaggersCarpetbaggers

► Northerners who Northerners who wanted to take wanted to take advantage of advantage of political political opportunity and opportunity and traveled South to traveled South to win electionswin elections

ScalawagsScalawags

► Southerners who Southerners who refused to refused to support the support the ConfederacyConfederacy

Impeachment of JohnsonImpeachment of Johnson► Radicals were angry with President Johnson, and they Radicals were angry with President Johnson, and they

decided to try to get rid of him.decided to try to get rid of him.► In 1867, Congress passed the In 1867, Congress passed the Tenure of Office ActTenure of Office Act, which , which

provided that the president had to secure the consent of provided that the president had to secure the consent of the Senate before removing his appointees once they had the Senate before removing his appointees once they had been approved by the Senate (one reason was to keep been approved by the Senate (one reason was to keep Edwin Edwin M. StantonM. Stanton, a Republican spy, in office)., a Republican spy, in office).

► When Johnson dismissed Stanton early in 1868, the When Johnson dismissed Stanton early in 1868, the Republicans impeached him Republicans impeached him

► Johnson was not allowed to testify by his lawyers, who Johnson was not allowed to testify by his lawyers, who argued that the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional argued that the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional and Johnson was acting under the Constitution, not the and Johnson was acting under the Constitution, not the law.law.

► On May 16, 1868, Johnson was acquitted of all charges by a On May 16, 1868, Johnson was acquitted of all charges by a single vote, as seven Republican senators with consciences single vote, as seven Republican senators with consciences voted “not-guilty” (interestingly, those seven never voted “not-guilty” (interestingly, those seven never secured a political office against afterwards).secured a political office against afterwards).

► Die-hard radicals were infuriated by the acquittal, but Die-hard radicals were infuriated by the acquittal, but many politicians feared establishing a precedence of many politicians feared establishing a precedence of removing the president through impeachment removing the president through impeachment

The Purchase of AlaskaThe Purchase of Alaska

► In 1867, Secretary In 1867, Secretary of State William H. of State William H. Seward bought Alaska Seward bought Alaska from Russia to the from Russia to the United States for United States for $7.2 million, but $7.2 million, but most of the public most of the public jeered his act as jeered his act as “Seward’s Folly.”“Seward’s Folly.”

► Only later, when oil Only later, when oil and gold were and gold were discovered, did discovered, did Alaska prove to be a Alaska prove to be a huge bargain huge bargain

Goldmine in AlaskaGoldmine in Alaska

Alaskan PipelineAlaskan Pipeline► The 800-mile-long Trans The 800-mile-long Trans

Alaska Pipeline System Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is one of the (TAPS) is one of the largest pipeline systems in largest pipeline systems in the world. It stretches the world. It stretches from Prudhoe Bay on from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope, Alaska’s North Slope, through rugged and through rugged and beautiful terrain, to beautiful terrain, to Valdez, the northernmost Valdez, the northernmost ice-free port in North ice-free port in North America. Since pipeline America. Since pipeline startup in 1977, Alyeska startup in 1977, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Pipeline Service Company, the operator of TAPS, has the operator of TAPS, has successfully transported successfully transported over 15 billion barrels of over 15 billion barrels of oil. oil.

Alaskan SalmonAlaskan Salmon

Fate of ReconstructionFate of Reconstruction

► Many Southerners regarded Many Southerners regarded Reconstruction as worse than the war Reconstruction as worse than the war itself, as they resented the upending itself, as they resented the upending of their social and racial system of their social and racial system

► The Republicans, though with good The Republicans, though with good intentions, failed to improve the intentions, failed to improve the South, and the fate of Blacks would South, and the fate of Blacks would remain bad for almost another century remain bad for almost another century before the Civil Rights movement of the before the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s secured Black 1950s and 1960s secured Black privileges privileges