Section One: The weakness of federal government: Johnson, Grant and the failure of radical reconstruction (1865-90)

Question 1

Definition of Reconstruction

Answer 1

The process by which the Union and Confederate were re-joined into one country after the end of the Civil War 1865. Lasted 1865-77.

Question 2

Definition of Radical Reconstruction + key figures

Answer 2

Thaddeus Stevens. People like Wade and Davis (proposed 50% bill) believed in imposing harsh measures on the South for their actions in the civil war, as well as abolishing slavery and giving African Americans the same civil rights as white Americans.

Question 3

What problems did Lincoln face during Reconstruction?

Answer 3

1. How to treat Southern states. Radicals wanted harsher settlement than Lincoln
2. What to do with the thousands of ex-slaves
3. Who would decide the policy of Reconstruction, Congress or the president? Lincoln thought this was his job but this caused conflict with Congress

Question 4

When did Lincoln introduce the 10% plan and what was it?

Answer 4

April 1484.
Rebel states would be admitted if 10% of their electorate agreed to an oath of future allegiance to the USA, they supported all existing acts of Congress regarding slavery and allowed African Americans to vote.

Question 5

What was the Wade-Davis bill and why did it cause tension?

Answer 5

Two radical Senators, Davis and Wade, introduced the Wade-Davis bill in June 1865. Required 50% of the electorate to take a much tougher oath of allegiance of loyalty to the Union. Excluded those in the Confederacy from any role in future government and demanded state constitution be changed to abolish slavery.

Lincoln vetoed the bill, further deteriorating relations between Congress and President.

Question 6

13th Amendment

Answer 6

1865- formally freed all slaves in USA.

Question 7

The Freedmen’s Bureau

Answer 7

March 1865- Lincoln and Congress set up Bureau for a year to help former slaves. Provided advice on education and employment for former slaves and helped in establishing schools for African Americans.

Question 8

Johnson’s stance on Reconstruction

Answer 8

Wanted to restore Southern states quickly, realising Congress was due to reconvene in December 1865 and he would face strong opposition from Radical Republicans.

Favoured leniency and did not promote position of ex-slaves.

Accepted the Wade-Davis Bill but agreed that when each former Confederate state held a convention to revise its own constitution.

Question 9

When was Johnson in power and what party was he in?

Answer 9

1865-68 and a Democrat

Question 10

Opposition to Johnson

Answer 10

Many congressmen, including moderate Republicans, had serious doubts about Johnson’s leniency towards the South. Partly due to the developments in the South, particularly the Black Codes.

Question 11

Strengths of Johnson

Answer 11

1. 14th Amendment- everyone born in the USA a citizen- put forward by Congress

Question 12

Weaknesses of Johnson

Answer 12

1. Did not intervene to stop Black Codes
2. Vetoed the Civil Rights Bill 1866 as he thought it would anger the South- first time Congress overturned Presidential veto.
3. Breaching the Tenure of Office Act 1867- dismissed Stanton, Secretary of War, when Senate was on a break. Lead to his impeachment, which only failed by one vote.
4. Congress gained more power- Military Reconstruction Act, Command of the Army Act limited Johnson’s control over the military.

Question 13

When was Grant in power and what was his party?

Answer 13

1868-1876 and a Republican

Question 14

Strengths of Grant

Answer 14

1. Passing of the 15th Amendment in 1869. Gave African American men the right to vote
2. More radical than Johnson- military control in the South and setting up new governments in southern states. (However, there was never more than 20,000 troops in the South at once and the new governments in the south were often corrupt).

Question 15

Weaknesses of Grant

Answer 15

1. Scandals- Speculation that caused economic panic on 24th September 1869 (associated with two of the speculators Fisk and Gould). Private secretary associated in Whiskey Ring scandal of 1875.
2. Strong tensions between North and South. Reduced efficiency of his Presidency.

Question 16

How did Hayes gain the presidency and issues surrounding it?

Answer 16

Voting for some southern states disputed so committee established commission to allocate those electoral college votes to Hayes.

Secret deal between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats would accept Hayes as President if he agreed to end military occupation in the South and the departure of the carpetbaggers.

End of republican attempts to modernise politics and attitudes of the South.

Question 17

Why did Radical Reconstruction fail?

Answer 17

1. Congress vs President- both wanted power e.g. Johnson veto Congress then Congress tries to impeach him.
2. Radical perspective too harsh- 50% plan
3. Conservatives perspective too lenient- 10% plan
4. No joint mindset- created divisions which created a lack of efficiency in Reconstruction
5. Racism- South especially did not want new freedom for ex-slaves.
6. What else needed doing? Union and confederate were reunited.