Chapter 2: Reconstruction Flashcards
Reconstruction
Is the period 1865–77 following the American Civil War, during which the southern states of the Confederacy were controlled by federal government and social legislation, including the granting of new rights to black people, was introduced.
The presidents : Lincoln
Lincoln started the process of passing the 13th Amendment freeing the slaves.
He wanted to allow the Southern states to rejoin the Union on the condition that 10% of voters swear loyalty to the Union. This was mostly opposed by the Radical Republicans in Congress as they wanted 50% and an anti-slavery amendment added to the state Constitution before allowing a state to rejoin in the Wade-Davis bill.
He wanted all Southerners who were not high-ranking Confederate leaders to be allowed to vote and did not confiscate property.
The presidents : Johnson
Johnson is a Southerner from Tennessee appointed to be Lincoln’s VP to conciliate the South.
He opposes a harsh reconstruction and is fiercely opposed by the Radical Republican faction.
The Radicals want to ensure that Blacks are able to vote and have civil rights. Johnson wants to reintegrate White southerners and supports state civilian governments in the South.
Johnson pardoned all ex-Confederate soldiers and civilians expect a few high-ranking officers.
Johnson was Commander-in-Chief of the US military, and thus could simply order the military not to do anything he didn’t support. Congress passed laws trying to limit Johnson’s ability to control the military governments ruling the South.
Command of the Army Act
Takes away Johnson’s ability to issue order directly to anyone but Grant, the top military official in the Army. This will give them and Grant effective power over the military governments.
Tenure of Office of Act
This act gives the Senate the power to remove Cabinet members (Ministers) appointed by the current President from office. The Constitution says the Senate must give consent for appointment, but nothing about removal. This was used particularly to target Stanton, Secretary of War.
This is probably not constitutional and also the law did not technically apply to Stanton as he was appointed by Lincoln not Johnson.
Political Views : Radical Republicans
Slavery should be ended and civil rights sought for black people.
The South should be altered so it does not rebel again.
Political Views : Conservative Republicans
Slavery should be ended.
The South should be reintegrated and normality restored.
Political views : Copperheads, Northern Peace Democrats
Slavery should continue.
The war is a conspiracy by northerners to enslave poor southern whites, and is damaging the cotton trade.
Freedman’s Bureau
An act passed by the congress and set by Abraham Lincoln in 1865, to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners, including newly freed African Americans.
The Military Reconstruction Act of 1867
Divided the South into five districts. Each had a military governor, in which Radical Reconstruction could be carried out. This meant that the terms of the Wade–Davis Bill were effectively implemented.
The impeachment Johnson
impeachment: a charge of misconduct made against the holder of a public office.
Reasons as to why he should be removed:
A show of Radical strength might have had an effect on the 1868 elections.
Johnson would be humiliated.
Congress could devote its time to finishing the job in the South, with a cooperative president not disrupting the role of the military governors.
The trial cited 11 articles of impeachment, most about the Tenure of Office Act, but also including disgracing the presidency and ridiculing Congress. Legally, Johnson could be dismissed for ‘high crimes and misdemeanour’
Johnson was discharged by one vote (with 35 against him) and the trial was abandoned in May
The 13th Amendment
Banned slavery throughout the United States
The 14th Amendment
To give black people equality under the law with white people
The 15th Amendment
Race, colour, or having been a slave are not adequate grounds on which to stop someone voting. (To give rights for the blacks to vote)
Sharecropping
Sharecropping is a system where the landlord/planter allows a tenant to use the land in exchange for a share of the crop.
The planters were able to hire some former slaves and provided the sharecropping policy