The Politics of Reconstruction

Unit 3- Reconstruction

I. Reconstruction- Process of building the US again after the Civil War (1865-1877)

II. Andrew Johnson’s PlanA. 17th President after Lincoln was shotB. Each state would have to:

1. Withdraw its secession2. Swear Allegiance to the Union3. Pay all war debts4. Ratify the 13th Amendment, ending

slavery

C. Johnson pardoned (get them out of legal punishment) over 13,000 Confederates“White men alone must manage the

South”

III. Radical Republicans- small group of Republicans in Congress- angered by Johnson, they wanted:1. To destroy the political power of

former slaveholders2. To address the needs of former slaves

- land, voting rights, and protection under the law

IV. Presidential Reconstruction stopsCongress tries to pass new laws

1. Freedmans’ BureauA. Assisted former slaves and poor whites by distributing clothing and food

B. Set up more than 40 schools, 4,000 hospitals, and 74 teacher schools

2. Civil Rights Acts of 1866Stopped black codes- discriminatory laws that restricted the lives of blacks

*Both vetoed by Johnson

V. Congressional ReconstructionDrafted the 14th Amendment

1. All people born in the US are citizens

2. All citizens entitled to equal protection of the law

3. Due process for all citizens

VI. Johnson impeached- accused of committing crimes in officeHouse of Reps voted to impeach, found

not guilty in the Senate by one vote