Reconstruction: AP US History Class Notes

Three Big Questions of Reconstruction

1. What do we do with the former Confederates?
2. What do we do with the formerly enslaved people?
3. Who should be in charge of making decisions on #1 & #2: Congress or the President?

Reconstruction Amendments

• 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery.
• 14th Amendment: Granted African Americans citizenship and equal protection under the laws.
• 15th Amendment: Granted African American men voting rights.
  • Setback for women's rights, not included in the 14th and 15th Amendments, causing a split in the movement.

Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan

• Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (10% Plan):
  • Full presidential pardons for Confederates who took an oath of allegiance and accepted emancipation.
  • State governments could be reestablished if 10% of voters took the loyalty oath.

Congress and Wade-Davis Reconstruction

• Republicans opposed Lincoln’s leniency, proposing the Wade-Davis Bill:
  • Required 50% of voters to take a loyalty oath.
  • Only non-Confederates could vote for new state constitutions.
  • Lincoln used a pocket veto against it.

Freedmen’s Bureau

• Created in March 1865 to aid destitute war survivors, primarily freed slaves and homeless whites.
• Greatest success was in education, establishing nearly 3000 schools for freed blacks.

Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan

• Andrew Johnson became president after Lincoln's assassination.
• His Presidential Reconstruction allowed Southern reentry to the Union with the 13th Amendment.
• Permitted Black Codes:
  • Restricted rights of former slaves, enforced contracts, limited legal rights.

Congressional Radical Republican Reconstruction

• Congress rejected Johnson’s plans, implementing stricter Reconstruction policies.
• Passed laws over Johnson’s veto, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866:
  • Declared all born in the US as citizens with equal rights.
• Reconstruction Act of 1867:
  • Military occupation in the South, divided into five districts.
  • Required ratification of the 14th Amendment for readmission.
  • Guaranteed voting rights for all men.

Johnson’s Impeachment

• Johnson clashed with Congress, leading to impeachment efforts due to his reconstruction policies.
• Tenure of Office Act restricted presidential power, leading to conflict over the dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.
• Johnson’s impeachment fell one vote short in the Senate.

Key Figures

• Blanche K. Bruce & Hiram Revels: First African American US Senators.
• General Oliver Howard: Led the Freedmen’s Bureau.

Important Terms

• 10% Plan: Lincoln’s plan for lenient reintegration of Southern states.
• Black Codes: Laws restricting African American freedom post-Civil War.
• Reconstruction Act of 1867: Key legislative measure enforcing military oversight in the South.
• Freedmen’s Bureau: Agency for aiding freed slaves and poor whites.
• Tenure of Office Act: Law requiring Senate approval for the removal of certain officeholders.
• Wade-Davis Bill: A more stringent reconstruction plan than Lincoln’s.

Summary

The Reconstruction period post-Civil War was marked by significant political changes aimed at integrating the Southern states and securing rights for African Americans. Key amendments and legislative measures were implemented to abolish slavery, grant citizenship, and protect voting rights. The era saw a clash between presidential and congressional approaches, leading to political strife and the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Efforts like the Freedmen’s Bureau sought to address the socio-economic needs of newly freed individuals, while controversial measures like Black Codes highlighted ongoing racial tensions.