ACT II: Congress finds out johnson’s a racist

Act II: Congress finds out

Johnson’s a racist.

Vice President Andrew Johnson

• Andrew Johnson was…– A Southerner who had owned

slaves.– Loyal to the North, but with

Southern sympathies.– Chosen as Lincoln’s VP to show

unity between the North and South.

• But then Lincoln gets assassinated.

• Johnson becomes President.

Johnson as PresidentJohnson made the South…

• Declare secession illegal• Swear loyalty to the

Union• Ratify 13th amendment

– IL was 1st state to ratify! – MS finally did in 1995!

On the other hand, he…• Promoted states’ rights,

allowing states to restrict Blacks’ rights

• Pardoned LOTS of Confederates, so they could be in charge.

“This is a country for white men, and by God, as long as I

am President, it shall be a government for white men.”

-Andrew Johnson, in a letter to the Governor of Missouri

Luckily for society, Congress was in favor of

equality.

(Well, most of them were.)

ACT II: Congress finds out johnson’s a [a man who

feels whites are superior]

I learned so much! I can explain why

Andrew Johnson was selected as

Vice President and how he came to be President.

Yeah? Well, I can describe the ways in

which Andrew Johnson hindered

Reconstruction efforts.

ACT III: Congress fights for civil rights

Roses are red,Violets are blue.

Congress makes laws,And Johnson vetoes

them.Boo.

Radical Republicans• Wanted Blacks to have

equal rights.– 13th Amendment isn’t

enough to fix society.• In 1866, this group wins

a large majority in Congress.– North starts favoring civil

rights.– States in the South aren’t

represented yet.• Large enough majority to

override vetoes…

Totally

radical!

Benjamin Wade

• Acting Vice President– Next in line for President

after Johnson.• Felt strongly in favor

of equal rights.• Seen as extreme by

some members of Congress.

40 Acres & Mule

But I can’t even

have a baby!

Turn to someone near you and discuss the long-term impact of the “40 Acres and a Mule”

promise being broken

Lyman Trumbull

• U.S. Senator from Illinois.

• Helped write/create:– 13th amendment:

Abolished slavery– Freedman’s Bureau:

Educated former slaves– Civil Rights Act of 1866:

First ever civil rights law!– 14th amendment:

Citizenship rights

Freedman’s Bureau

• Created by Congress– Provided food, clothing, education for

both former slaves and poor whites in the South.

– Main focus was education!• Congress votes to continue it…

– Johnson vetoes it…• Congress overrides his veto.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

• First civil rights law in our history! • Gave citizenship and equal rights.

– “as is enjoyed by white citizens”• Outlawed segregation and

discrimination.• Punished people who went against

this law.• Congress passes it…

– Johnson vetoes it…• Congress overrides his veto.

Woo Hoo!Go

Congress!

Sit down, I can’t

see the show!!!

Sorry…

Congress Gives Citizenship

• Congress passed the 14th amendment giving all people born in the US citizenship.– Pres. Johnson discouraged ratification.

Congress required states to ratify 14th amendment in order to become a state

again.

Johnson vetoed it; Congress overrode the veto.

ACT II: Congress finds out johnson’s a [a man who

feels whites are superior]

Hey, I can summarize the political views of the Radical Republicans.

Show off. I can describe the

ways in which Lyman Trumbull

aided Reconstruction

efforts.

Well, I can assess the

impact of the Civil Rights Act

of 1866.

I can assess the impact of

the Freedman’s Bureau.

I can assess the impact of

the 14th Amendment.

How’s this-- I can assess the

long-term impact of the “40 Acres and

a Mule” promise being

broken.

That’s nothing! I can explain

the circumstances

that led to Congress

having a large Republican

majority in the 1866 election.

Good popcorn.