CHAPTER 17: Reconstruction Section 2:
The Fight over Reconstruction
VOCABULARY Impeach: To bring charges against a public official for wrongdoing
PRESIDENT JOHNSON Democrat &
former slaveholder Did not believe in equal rights for blacks Wanted lenient reconstruction Gave pardons to wealthy Confederate leaders
RECONSTRUCTION OVER?
Southern states followed lenient plan Johnson admitted themback in as states• Declared reconstruction over
BLACK CODES Southern states passed Black Codes• Laws that limited the freedom of African Americans
BLACK CODES Could not own property or guns No voting rights If no job, could be arrested and forced to work for no pay
“This is a white man’s government, and
intended for white men only.” -Benjamin F.
Perry (Governor of South Carolina)
THE RADICAL REPUBLICANS
Radical Republicans – Northern members of Congress• Wanted to redo Reconstruction• Much stricter plan on the South
CONGRESS TAKES CONTROL OF
RECONSTRUCTION Radical Republicans pass two Constitutional Amendments• 14th Amendment – Gave full citizenship to African Americans
CONGRESS TAKES CONTROL OF
RECONSTRUCTION • 15th Amendment – Gave voting rights to African American men
CONGRESS TAKES CONTROL OF
RECONSTRUCTION Also pass new Reconstruction Acts• Divided the South into 5 military districts• Each one controlled by a Northern military commander• States must support 14th & 15th Amendments to be readmitted
Radical Reconstruction Military Districts
JOHNSON DISAGREES WITH RADICAL
RECONSTRUCTION Johnson tried to veto the Radical Reconstruction Acts Opposed the Amendments
THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Congress passed a
law that forbid the President from removing cabinet officials without Senate approval Johnson then fired Sec. of War Edwin Stanton
You’re fired!
DarnHa ha, they can’t tell me what to do!
THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Congress voted to
impeach Johnson
THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Johnson then went to
the Senate for a trial• 2/3rds vote would remove him from office
The Impeach
ment Trial of Andrew Johnson
Oh crap!
THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Johnson is saved by
one single vote
Whew! That was
close.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1868
Johnson does not run Republican Ulysses S. Grant wins• He supports Radical Reconstruction