THE ORDEAL OF RECONSTRUCTION 1865-1877 Chapter 22

THE ORDEAL OF RECONSTRUCTION

1865-1877 Chapter 22

A. The Problems of Peace

Four questions faced the country:

1. How would the South be rebuilt? (post-war economic, physical, and social destruction; collapsed civilization)

A. The Problems of Peace

2. How would newly freed blacks fare?

A. The Problems of Peace

3. How would southern states be reintegrated into the Union?

A. The Problems of Peace

4. Who would direct Reconstruction? (Congress, President, or South)

A political cartoon of Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lincoln, 1865, entitled "The Rail Splitter At Work Repairing the Union." The caption reads (Johnson): Take it quietly Uncle Abe and I will draw it closer than ever. (Lincoln): A few more stitches Andy and the good old Union will be mended.

A. The Problems of Peace

• questions also over how to deal with Confederate leaders (pardoned by Johnson in 1868)

• aristocrats impoverished; many resisted emancipation

B. Freedmen Define Freedom

• emancipation uneven; some “reenslaved”

• some resisted liberation, some sought revenge and violence

• all masters were eventually forced to recognize freedom

• many freed blacks celebrated; sought protection in black communities; some move west

B. Freedmen Define Freedom

• church becomes the focus of black community life

• new opportunities for education; push to build schools, recruit teachers, both black and white women

• many sought relief and help from the federal government

B. Freedmen Define Freedom

• church becomes the focus of black community life

• new opportunities for education; push to build schools, recruit teachers, both black and white women

• many sought relief and help from the federal government

C. The Freedmen’s Bureau

• created in March 1865 by Congress; welfare agency

• goal to provide food, clothing, medical care, and education to freedmen AND white refugees

• successful in education and literacy• although authorized to redistribute

Confederate lands to freed blacks, very little land was given

C. The Freedmen’s Bureau

• many freedmen were forced out of communities and convinced to sign “labor contracts”, virtually slavery for a time period

• the agency expired in 1872; President Johnson and southerners viewed it as a threat to racial dominance

D. Johnson: The Tailor President

• humble, born in NC, self-taught; misfit

• TN politician, Congressman who refused to secede with state

• chosen as Lincoln’s running mate in 1864; “ideal” because he appealed to pro-Southerners and War Democrats

• “wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time” doomed him to fail

E. Presidential Reconstruction

• 1. Lincoln’s Plan (1863)- to easily restore the states to the Union once each had 10% of its citizens take an oath and pledge AND set up a new state government

* Republican Congress disliked; feared reenslavement and restoration of planter aristocracy

E. Presidential Reconstruction

• 1864 Wade-Davis Bill- passed by Congress, but pocket vetoed by Lincoln- proposed 50% oath and stronger safeguards for emancipation- revealed deep differences between President and Congress

E. Presidential Reconstruction

• Factions emerged among Republicans in Congress:

* Moderates- majority, supported Lincoln’s plan for quick and easy readmission

* RADICAL REPUBLICANS- minority, believed the South must atone for its sins; wanted to uproot the aristocratic social structure, punish planters, and protect the free blacks

E. Presidential Reconstruction

2. Johnson’s Plan (1865)- disenfranchise some Confederate leaders

• call for special state conventions to settle debts, repeal secession, and ratify the 13th amendment for readmission

• allowed for President to pardon Confederate leaders

F. Baleful Black Codes

• laws designed to “regulate” blacks, varied from state to state (MI harshest, GA most lenient)

• common aim to ensure a stable labor force and keep blacks subservient (cotton)

• harsh penalties for jumping labor contracts (usually yearly, low wages)

F. Baleful Black Codes

• goal to maintain race relations- blacks couldn’t serve on juries, own or lease land in some areas, could be punished for “idleness”, couldn’t vote

• thousands became sharecroppers- peons, slaves to creditors- paid for rented land with a portion of their crop

• Northerners resented black codes; felt war had been fought in vain

22:2 Quiz

• Civil Rights Bill• 14th & 15th Amendments• KKK• Scalawags• Carpetbaggers• Reconstruction Act of 1867• Johnson’s impeachment• Force Acts• 1866 Elections