Reconstruction Era in U.S. History

Sep 16, 2024

Mindmap

Crash Course U.S. History: Reconstruction

Overview

  • Civil War is over, slaves are freed.
  • The challenge: reintegrating a formerly slave and rebellious population.
  • Lincoln's assassination left Andrew Johnson in charge, considered one of the worst presidents.

Lincoln vs. Johnson

  • Lincoln's Plan: Reunion and reconciliation.
  • Johnson's Approach: Believed the South never had the right to secede.
    • Resented Southern elites, was racist, didn't think blacks should have roles in Reconstruction.

Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1867)

  • Provisional governors appointed, all-white governments established.
  • New governments resembled old Confederate ones.

Changes for Former Slaves

  • Establishment of Fisk and Howard universities.
  • Primary and secondary schools established, aided by Freedmen’s Bureau.
  • Land ownership seen as key to freedom; however, land promised was not delivered.

Sharecropping

  • Replaced slavery, creating a system of quasi-serfdom.
  • Sharecroppers received a share of the crops, prices set by landowners.
  • Both freed blacks and poor whites became sharecroppers.

Congressional Reconstruction

  • Republican Congress unhappy with "reconstructed" South.
  • 1867: Reconstruction Act divided South into 5 military districts, required new governments with black participation.
  • 14th Amendment: Defined citizenship, guaranteed equal protection.
  • 15th Amendment: Prohibited states from denying the right to vote based on race.

Political Involvement of African Americans

  • Direct action, voting, and holding office.
  • Republican Party dominated politics in South due to African American support.
  • Pinckney B.S. Pinchback: First black governor.

Decline of Reconstruction

  • Violence and intimidation led by groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
  • Northern Republicans lost interest and resources.
  • 1876 Election: Dispute resolved by the Bargain of 1877.

End of Reconstruction

  • Federal troops withdraw, leading to "redemption" by Southern Democrats.
  • Jim Crow laws established, suppressing African American rights.
  • Despite setbacks, Reconstruction was a brief period of increased democracy.

Legacy

  • Amendments granted political freedom but not economic independence.
  • Continued struggle for true freedom in a capitalist system.

Production Details: Produced by Stan Muller, written by John Green and Raoul Meyer, graphics by Thought Cafe.