Cival War, Reconstruction, and the New South Flashcards
The difference between President Johnson and the Republican Congressional Plan
President Johnson’s plan focused on civil rights and poverty reduction
The Republican Congressional Plan prioritized limited government intervention and a stronger focus on state rights, opposing Johnson’s expansive federal programs.
how the conflict between the president and the congress escalated from 1865-1868
From 1865 to 1868, President Johnson and Congress disagreed over how to rebuild the South. Johnson wanted to make it easy for Southern states to rejoin the Union, while Congress wanted to protect the rights of freed slaves and enforce stricter rules.
How did the reconstruction acts of 1867 Begin a new “radical phase of Reconstruction in the South
The Reconstruction Acts of 1867 initiated a “radical phase” by dividing the South into districts, requiring states to create new constitutions guaranteeing African American voting rights, and imposing stricter federal control. This aimed to protect freed slaves and ensure civil rights, leading to more radical reforms and increased tensions with Southern leaders.
Andrew Johnson
- 17th president
- Successor to Lincoln
- Southern Democrat who favored the a more lenient plan to reintegrating southern States plan
Radical Republicans
- Group within the republican party during the Reconstruction era
- Supported Strict measures for southern states
- Opposed President Johnsons lenient Approach
Black Codes
Def: Laws enacted in Southern states after the Civil War to restrict the rights of African Americans.
Purpose: Aimed to control the labor and behavior of freed slaves and maintain white supremacy.
- Limited voting rights (literacy tests, poll taxes).
- Restricted access to employment and land ownership.
- Imposed harsh penalties for minor infractions (vagrancy laws).
Civil Rights Act
Definition: protecting the civil rights of African Americans following the Civil War.
Purpose: To counteract the effects of slavery and discrimination and to provide legal protections for freed slaves.
- Granted citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. except Native Americans.
- Ensured equal protection under the law for all citizens.
- Outlawed discriminatory practices, such as Black Codes.
13th Amendment
Provided Equal Protection of the law for ALL citizens (including freedman)
14th Amendment
Equal protection
15th amendement
Harsh plan that put strict measures against ex confederates and enacted many rights for freedmen to create a biracial democracy
Reconstruction Acts
- Divided the South
- Required Southern states to make new rules that allowed African American men to vote and to register voters.
- Aimed to protect civil rights and ensure federal control in the South.
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
- He violated the Tenure of Office Act by firing the Secretary of War in 1867
The purpose of the Freedmans Bureau
Assist newly freed African Americans by providing food, housing, education, and legal support. It helped them transition from slavery to freedom and facilitated employment and rights during Reconstruction.
Successes for African Americans regarding labor contracts, education, voting, supplies, family, reunification, violence, etc
- Secured jobs and wages.
- Increased literacy through new schools.
- Gained the right to vote with the 15th Amendment.
- Supplies: Received aid from the Freedmen’s Bureau.
- Family Reunification: Reunited with separated family members.
Roadblocks for African Americans regarding labor contracts, education, voting, supplies, family, reunification, violence, etc
- Often exploitative and led to debt.
- Limited funding and opposition from whites.
- Discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes.
- Bureau faced shortages and opposition.
- Many families remained separated.
- Intimidation and violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
