RECONSTRUCTION LEGACIES

Lisa Pennington

Social Studies Instructional Specialist

Portsmouth Public Schools

VOCABULARY Election of 1876: the closest American

presidential election in history with Rutherford Hayes wining by one vote. Disputes over the voting led to the Compromise of 1877 which ultimately pushed African Americans out of power into the racially segregated era of Jim Crow laws.

Jim Crow: the systematic Southern practice of discriminating against African Americans. The name originates from an African American minstrel character in a song and dance act of 1828.

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS The actions of Abraham Lincoln, Robert

E. Lee, and Frederick Douglass created lasting impacts.

RECONSTRUCTION LEGACIES Abraham Lincoln Lincoln’s

Reconstruction plan called for reconciliation.

Lincoln thought preservation of the Union was more important than punishing the South.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/first-family/masthead_image/16al_header_sm.jpg?1250877868

RECONSTRUCTION LEGACIES

Robert E. Lee Lee urged

Southerners to reconcile at the end of the war and reunite as Americans when some wanted to continue to fight.

He became president of Washington College, which is now known as Washington and Lee University.

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/artofthestamp/subpage%20table%20images/artwork/history/Robert%20E.%20Lee/BIGlee.jpg

RECONSTRUCTION LEGACIES Frederick Douglass Douglass fought

for adoption of constitutional amendments that guaranteed voting rights.

He was a powerful voice for human rights and civil liberties for all.

http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/upload/Frederick-Douglas-Photo_lar.jpg