History Revision Document: AmericaThis option provides for the study of a period of major change in American history, which saw the disintegration of the country into Civil War, demanding a subsequent reconstruction. It explores concepts such as political authority, abolitionism and social justice. It also encourages students to consider what creates social tension and harmony, the idea of nationhood and the issues surrounding political compromise.

Part one: the origins of the American Civil War, c1845–1861 North and South in c1845

Key: Past Paper Q, Possible Q Content Possible Essays Notes •• The American Republic: the federal government and its relationships with the states; the role of thepresident; the US constitution and the Supreme Court

To what extent was sectional tension c1845 due to the issues regarding States rights?

‘Unresolved issues in the American Constitution were significant in creating sectional tension in America by c1845.’Assess the validity of this view.

Andrew Jackson won US election 1828, outright majority of electoral college votes. Sectional tensions rose drastically during his administration.

The Constitution had left a tension between those who wanted a strong executive and those who wanted an emphasis on States’ rights.

The provision for the return of Fugitive Slaves was legally contradictory with the rights of property, clashing with the rights to freedom and for states to make their own laws.

Tensions due to build-up of events in the past; Missouri Compromise 1820, Nullification process of 1832, and the South’s dear of modernisation.

Biggest crisis Jackson’s presidency? Calhoun vs Jackson on states’ rights. States right to declare, null and void anything they do not wish to follow. Nullification said that would allow any state to refuse to obey law. Jackson disagreed.

Growing economic and social differences key to sectional tension between North and South; North – Heavily Industrial, Urban, Capital – Agricultural base, Farming, Traditional.

Westward Expansion, new territories acquired over war with Mexico Tensions of slavery, much more intense due to the abolitionist movement in the North

combined with the slave population in the South compared to other periods.

‘Economic differences were the major cause of division between the North and South by 1850.’Assess the validity of this view

‘The North and South had more in common than not’Assess the validity of this view

AGREE: Both sides relied economically on farming and both used similar methods to work the

land. North experiencing more industrialisation but farming contributed heavily into its economy as it did the South. States raised wheat and corn in the Northern climates and South raised cotton and rice.

Social strata of the North and South relatively similar. Class structure in both the divisions developed along similar lines with larger lower class population and small middle/upper classes.

Similar in terms of military systems. Confed President Jefferson Davies (1861-65) trained at WestPoint military Academy and served as a colonel in US army. So did Commandant Grant E. Lee and his opposite Gen. Ulysses S.Grant (Union army).

The soldiers on both sides also shared morale and social interests. Most of them were volunteers, un wealthy. Baseball played in both regions, adopted as their similar pastime while in camp or prison. Music huge common ground, famous story concerns an impromptu battle of the bands that took place while the armies were camped on opposite sides of a river in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The bands alternated songs for hours. Finally, they played "Home, Sweet Home" at the same time. Men on both sides cheered.

DISAGREE:

North was becoming much more industrialised than South. Larger cities established (New York one of biggest with 800,000 inhabitants during CW). By 1860 ¼ of all Northerners lived in urban areas. % of agricultural labourers dropped from 70%-40%. Slavery died out, replaced by factories in North with Immigrants from Europe.

South in fact reliant on North for finance, markets to sell their produce and vessels for export.

Transportation easier in North, boasted more 2/3s of railroad tracks in country. More Northerners belonged to WHIG/REPUBLICAN PARTY, more likely to have careers;

business, medicine or education. Engineer 6 times more likely to be Northern than Southern.

North wanted protective tariffs to ward off European competition whilst the South wanted free trade.

FREE vs SLAVE LABOUR Westward expansion and potential extension of slavery was key to growing division,

especially with the new territories acquired by victory over Mexico. Divisions caused by events of the past eg. Missouri Compromise, Nullification…

OPINION: MOSTLY LITTLE IN COMMON, THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH WERE THEIR POWERFUL DISAGREEMENTS ON SLAVERY. HOWEVER, IT WAS BOTH A MORALE ISSUE BETWEEN THE ABOLITIONISTS AND AN ECONOMIC ONE FOR THE SOUTH.

•• The legacy of the past: the Missouri Compromise; the Nullification Crisis; southern fears ofmodernisation; the moving frontier

‘By 1845, the Missouri Compromise was ineffective in maintaining peace.’Assess the validity of this view

> ‘The Nullification Crisis

Problem of slavery began in Missouri?...1819 populated enough to become state. Already more than 10,000 slaves there. Figure made introduction to prohibit further slaves into the proposed state. 1820 Compromise made Missouri able to enter as a slave state and Maine was carved out of Massachusetts to make a free state to keep balance of things.

This meant the rise of political parties and America was becoming much more democratic. Van Buren ‘the little magician’.

1828 Andrew Jackson won president election (‘champion of the common man’).

demonstrated that the North and South wanted different futures’Assess the validity of this view…

‘The American Republic was undivided and politically stable in 1845.’ Assess the validity of this view.

Policies supported Democratic Party. Lower- Middle class supporters, usually farmers, didn’t like rich/poor gap. Whigs were the opposition, felt Jackson was becoming too powerful, North/East support, businessmen, supported federal support, morale character, and wanted tariffs.

CONGRESS PASSED TARIFF OF 1828: raised tariffs on imported manufactured goods; mostly wool and iron, raged SOUTH CAROLINA, they put all money into slavery and NOT into INDUSTRY.

SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATION threatened to NULLIFY TARIFF! ! Jackson not take kindly to opposition of his federal power. 1832 Congress passed new tariff lowered the duties states government nullified it. John C. Calhoun Vice President led the rally against tariffs. South Carolina states’ rights. Succeed from the US?

Jackson – got CONGRESS to pass THE FORCE ACT 1833. Authorised him to use the army and navy to collect taxes. If South Carolina threaten to leave US, he can take action against them.

SOUTH CAROLINA STAY UNITED. Huge supporters on states’ rights, shows how they wanted different things.

Attempts to maintain the Union, c1845–1854Content Possible Essays Notes•• Westward expansion and its impact on North and South: the ideas of Manifest Destiny; controversyover the new territories acquired by victory over Mexico

How important was western expansion in the deterioration of relations between the North and South by 1850?

‘The Mexican War was the greatest cause of tension between North and South in the USA by 1848’Assess the validity of this view

WESTWARD EXPANSION: Western frontier holds the reputation of ‘The American Dream’. Manifest Destiny – Belief that is was a god given right for any man to be able to own

and farm his own land. Individualism. Regardless of who living there. Federal Gov - Homesteading laws, railroads made possible to import crops and other

goods to market, tools for planting, shoes, books. Allowed settlers to stay connected. Transcontinental railroads, fed gov supported, states also funded. Mexico before 1850 included; Texas, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, California. Mexico became independent, banned further emigration into Texas. Slavery

abolished in Mexico, allowed Americans to bring slaves. Mexican War: 1836 Alamo Mission Mexicans defeated Texas. However battle of san

Antonio Texas defeated Mexico and became independent. Joined US 1845 Dec. Texas called for Union however they wanted to be a slave state. THIS WOULD

‘The USA was united in support of Manifest Destiny’Assess the validity of this view

DISTUPT BALANCE IN SENATE. JACKSON & BUREN IGNORED TEXAS. Congress annexed Texas in 1845 days before President Polk took office. Britain

divided Oregon which balanced the slave state/free state balance. President James K. Polk land hungry. Had goal to acquire California from Mexico.

Sent troops under (future president Zachery Taylor) into disputed border region.

•• Attempts at political compromise: the Wilmot Proviso; the role of personalities such as Zachary Taylor, Stephen Douglas and Henry Clay; the Compromise of 1850; Texas and California; the FugitiveSlave Law

‘The 1850 Compromise was a great success’Assess the Validity of this view in relation to the years 1850-1854

‘The 1850 Compromise paved the way for even greater division in the USA, 1850-1854’Assess the validity of this view

- Aftermath Mexican War, pressure of omitting state in West doesn’t have history of slavery. Alter sectional balance of free and slave states in US Senate.

- Jan 1850 Senator Henry Clay ‘famous compromiser’ package of proposals to attempt to adjust sectional debate between the North and South.

- Stephen Douglas, Democrat, break compromise up, treat separately. Achieved as series of bills fall of 1860 5 bills.

- 1. California as free state - 2. Southwest Territories New Mexico/Utah no regard to slavery.- 3. Adjustment of border with Texas/New Mexico - 4. Elimination of slave trade in Columbia - 5. 1850 Fugitive slave law – CONTROVERSAL – Any citizen that found any slave had to

hand them into the authorities. Every person in New England become a sheriff almost and had to enforce a law they didn’t agree with. Fear for black people in the North because the even if they were born free in the North the law of Massachusetts meant a slave could be sent into slavery. Many blacks moved to Canada (English colony). Convinced some Northerners that the government was under ‘SLAVE POWER’. – a conspiracy theory secret group of pro slavery congressmen.

Shaky compromise and the fad soon fell apart… although it allowed Congress to avoid any serious sectionalism in terms of slavery for a few years.

Calhoun attacked the plan Senator from South Carolina. Demanded North should cease attempts to limit slavery. Webster supported Clay. President Zachery Taylor also opposed Compromise. Died on 9th July making Millard

Fillmore from New York Vice President in power. WILMOT PROVISO: designed to eliminate slavery in land acquired from Mexican War.

(1846-48). Soon after war began President Polk sought to invest $2 million to

negotiate in terms of treaty. Pennsylvanian Congressmen David Wilmott proposed his amendment to the pill. Enflamed growing sectionalism over slavery. Helped bring about the formation of Republican Party in 1854.

•• The growth of abolitionist sentiment in the North: political leaders such as William Seward; activistssuch as John Brown;

popular literature and the press;

the cultural and economic influence ofEuropean immigrants arriving in the northern states

‘Growing Abolitionist feeling in the North, in the years 1850 to 1860, caused theCivil War.’Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ responsible for the growing sectional tension 1852 to 1856?

Anti-Slavery book by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852. Sold over 300,000 copies in the US just within first year.

Made abolitionists in the North even more certain that expansion of slavery needed to end.

Southerners took on board the book as a threat. Abraham Lincoln claimed Harriet Beecher Stowe as “the little girl who started this big

war”. Many, after reading, swore to have nothing to do with the enforcement of the

Fugitive slave law, thus leaving southerners in a state of distrust and hostility towards the north.

John Brown: (Abolitionist) : Wanted to overthrow the Souths slavery system. During Bleeding Kansas movements 1855, he and his 4 sons led the attacks on pro-

slavery residents. 1859 Brown and 21 of followers attacked and occupied the arsenal in Harpers Ferry.

Goal was to capture supplies and use them to arm a slave rebellion. Brown captured soon after and hanged. He was an anti-slavery icon.

William Seward (Northern Senator from New York) :- Abolitionist, leading anti-slavery activist. - Failed in 1860 bid as Republican presidential nominations. - Appointed secretary of state in Lincoln’s cabinet.- A critic of 1850 Compromise - Cautioned Lincoln on using force at the siege of Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

European Immigrants - From 1845-1855 Immigration increased more than 500 per cent with around 1

million entering US.- 90% settled in the North/West.- Irish found themselves competing against native born Americans and free blacks for

low paid jobs. These were survivors of the great Irish famine 1845-52.- From 1830-60 not many Immigrants entered the South. The Southern political elite

opposed homesteading, government spending for infrastructure such as canal or railroad construction.

- Less capital invested in industrial development.- There were a few Immigrant communities in the South.- The Immigrants mostly moved North because of its new vibrant economy due to

Urbanisation. - When the civil war broke out in 1861 many immigrants were soldiers as the natives

were limited. ‘The Southern response to Abolitionism in the South was disproportional to its threat’ Assess the Validity of this view

North:William Lloyd Garrison – publishing stories in the Liberator, about former slaves (Fredrick Douglas, Harriet Jacobs, Solomon Northup). Harriet Beecher StoweGreater ability to achieve emancipation wasn’t tied down to agricultural ways like in the South. Economy did not entirely rely on slavery, although they benefitted through exports of cotton. Didn’t need slaves. Abolitionists more successful In North, easier to speak out about it.Ex- slaves such as Fredrick Douglas living in free communities like Baltimore, Philadelphia. ( Largely segregated, restricted civil rights and liberties, church essential)South : Abolitionism discouraged in South.Religious justifications for slavery (bible justified), most whites did not own slaves.

The outbreak of Civil War, 1854–1861Content Possible Essays Notes•• ‘Bleeding Kansas’: the de-stabilisation of the balance between North and South

‘Bleeding Kansas’ was the most significant event in the de-stabilisation of relations between the

- 1854- Popularised by New York newspapers - Period of violence during the settling of Kansas territory. - Emerged from the passage of the Kansas- Nebraska Act. (Organised territories in

North and South in the years 1850 to 1856.’Assess the validity of this view.

former Louisiana Purchase). Under principle of popular sovereignty.- Pro slavery gov in La Compton - Anti-Slavery gov in Topeka - Republicans in Washington backed Topeka- Democrats supported Pro-slavery. - John Brown abolitionist living in Ohio followed sons into territory and fought a war

with Pro-slavery forces. Murdered 5 pro-slavery settlers.- Senator from Massachusetts, Charles Sumner canned almost to death on floor of US

Senate by Congressman of South Carolina spring 1856 Preston Brooks. - Many people killed in Kansas territory during this 2 year period of violence. - Kansas eventually entered the Union on eve of civil war as a free state.

•• The emergence of the Republican Party: the political impact of the controversy over the Kansas-Nebraska Act; the spread of Republican parties across northern states; the elections of 1856; keypersonalities including Lincoln, Seward and Chase

‘The Kansas Nebraska Act was the most important reason for the rise of the Republican Party by 1858.’

‘The collapse of the Whigs and emergence of the Republican Party did more than anything else to increase Sectional tension, 1854-1860’Assess the validity of this view

Kansas Nebraska Act: Important piece of legislation during this period. (‘Breakup of the Democratic Party’).

Jan 1854 Democratic Senator from Illinois Stephen Douglas. Trying to help country spread westward, position himself for national power,

overcome sectional disputes still about after Compromise 1850. Figure out way how to organise territories in former Louisiana Purchase in way that

would overcome all future debates over slavery. SOLUTION? ‘POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY’: People living in a territory should be free of

federal interference in determining domestic policy, especially with respect to slavery. Let the people who live in the states decide their opinions on slavery?

Violated all the legislation of 1820 Compromise. A lot of Anti- slavery Democrats in the North violated and emerged a new Republican Party in 1854.

Kansas admitted as Free State in 1861. Southern states had begun to secede from the Union. Many Independent Democrats and Northern Whigs abandoned their old parties for the newly formed Republican Party (1854). In 1856 the Republican Party elected their first presidential candidate John Fremont. Won 11 of 16 Northern States.

1860 Republican Abraham Lincoln elected president.

•• Hardening of positions: the Dred Scott decision; the Lincoln-Douglas

How significant were the Lincoln-Douglas debates in causing increased sectional

Dred Scott case: Dred and Harriet Scott slaved people filed for freedom in court St. Louis Missouri 1846.11 years reached a Supreme Court decision in 1857.

debates; Harper’s Ferry; localconflicts; the split in the Democratic Party

tensions of the years 1858 to 1860?

How significant was the Dred Scott decision in causing increased sectional tensions of the years 1858 to 1860?

How significant was Harper’s Ferry in causing increased sectional tensions of the years 1858 to 1860?

Dred Scott was held by a slave that moved him from Alabama to Missouri and sold to another owner who took him to Wisconsin (free territory) met Harriet Robinson, married and had children.Owner took them back to St. Louis 1846 they filed freedom suits. Knew that if they had been held in free state territory then you should be freed even in a slave state like Missouri because court doctrine states ‘once free always free’. 1857 Supreme court ruled against Dred Scott:

Blacks did not have rights in federal courts Slave states no longer had to honour the ‘once free always free’ doctrine Congress never should have prohibited slavery in the Wisconsin territory.

Dramatic blow in the sectional crisis created firestorm of controversy. One of leading causes of upcoming civil war.Lost their case in court but won their freedom. Children of Scotts original owners in St. Louis became anti-slavery helped fund the legal case, bought the family in 1857, freed them. Dred Scott lived as a free man for a year. Lincoln, Douglas debates:1858 famous in American politics. Abraham Lincoln vs Stephen Douglas political enemies.Douglas – Senator Illinois, Democrat got into feud with Democrat presidential candidate James Buchanan. Over the Le Compton constitution (emerged at end of 1857, pro-slavery document that would confirm slavery into Kansas territory). Republicans wanted to convince Stephen Douglas to switch parties. Lincoln and allies in Illinois didn’t trust Douglas, Republican Party randomly nominated Lincoln to be their nominee, compete against Douglas. Lincoln brought forward a series of joint discussion to Douglas, he agreed on 7 that would be discussed around 7 congressional districts around the state. Political debates focused around slavery. 10,000 of farmers and citizens would gather in the state of Illinois to listen to Lincoln/Douglas debate. Republicans won more votes than Democrats in the end, however loss of seats… Lincoln lost in efforts to replace Douglas. However, in the following year Lincoln had the debates published, helped make him a stronger national candidate and Republican nominee for President in 1860 election. Harper’s Ferry:

October 1859 John Brown and 5 sons keen abolitionists. Planned to capture the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry Virginia 20,000 riffles, muskets and pistols Lead a slave rebellion No slaves joined him US marines arrived command of Robert E.Lee, soldiers overwhelmed Browns small

rebellion. Browns son’s dead. His trail caused major division. Convicted of treason and

sentenced to death. Terrorist in South, hero in the North? Executed December 2nd 1859

‘The election of a Republican President was the main reason for the outbreak of the Civil War.’Assess the validity of this view.

‘Southern politicians were responsible for the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.’Assess the validity of this view

Supporting the view that politicians were responsible: Was Southern politicians who pushed for and led secession from the Union which

started the war and the confederate leader, Davis ordered the taking of Fort Sumner, starting the war.

South Carolina and the other seceding states can be argued to have acted irrationally given Lincoln’s stated position on slavery and the constitutional constraints on his power, particularly as the Republicans did not control Congress.

Lincoln, on becoming president, was conciliatory but firm and Congress did seek compromise, but Southern politicians largely refused to enter into any discussion of compromise.

Lincoln at the time, and some historians since, believed that the war was due to the ‘slave power conspiracy’ in which Southern politicians from the planter class conned the Southern voters into secession and war.

Challenging the view: The war between the two sections can be seen as due to the long-standing

differences and tensions between the North and South. Attempts at compromise had been exhausted and only conflict could resolve the issues.

The Southern politicians represented the views of the Southern people, who had been whipped up in an emotional fever at the time, largely by ‘fire eaters’ from outside the political mainstream. Without popular support secession and war would have not followed.

Lincoln and the North could have allowed secession and avoided war, the

Confederacy wanted peaceful co-existence. Some have argued that Lincoln manoeuvred the situation at Fort Sumter so that the

Confederacy would fire the first shots of the war suggesting Lincoln was responsible for the start of the war.

Southern politicians of 1860–1861 must carry a great deal of blame for the starting of the Civil War but that the road to war was a long and complicated one. Southern politicians can be seen to have acted with undue haste and rashness in both seceding and ordering the start to hostilities. They did less in terms of seeking compromise than the Northern politicians and Lincoln himself. It is important that the South is not seen as a homogeneous block and students may differentiate between upper and lower South as well as between states. There were dissenting voices amongst Southern politicians who called for a more conciliatory approach. The build-up of tension over time can be considered, as can the attitude of the Southern population as secession was supported by popular votes in the South. The actions of Lincoln and others from the North can also be considered, students may consider the view that the North could have done more to avoid war.

Part two: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–1877 (A-level only)The War, 1861–1865 (A-level only)

Content Possible Essays Notes•• The strengths and weaknesses of the Confederate cause: military resources; political and military

‘The failure of the Confederate cause in the Civil War was due to limited resources.’ Assess the validity of this

South: - + Population of around 9 million in Southern states. Also, counting the slaves in the

South. Small railroad network 9,000 miles of track. Under private control during the war. Confederacy, each state must create their own money. BIG ISSUE. Led to financial

leadership; economic and geographical factors; relations with foreign powers

view. costs. Agricultural economy unable to support a long war, needs support from other

countries. Only 1 factory for every 10 in North. Could only enlist approx. 9,000 men due to poor transportation. Military leadership – army fought in previous wars, better trainer. Robert E.Lee head

of Confederate army from Virginia. (Also, fought against John Brown at HARPERS FERRY). Stonewall Jackson, Steward, Grant.

Only had to defend its territory to win the war.

•• The strengths and weaknesses of the Unionist cause: military resources; political and militaryleadership; economic and geographical factors; relations with foreign powers

How significant were the Union’s superior resources to their victory in the Civil War?

North: + - Population of the North around 22 million people. Due to the vibrant economy and Immigration going into the North. Larger army in the North. Clothing trade doubles, pitch folk manufacturers making swords, number of patterns

doubles. (Weapons, supplies for civil war). Bullets, firearms… 90% off all goods in America.

Manufacturing, technology, Infrastructure. Industrialisation in North, modern age. Advantage in economy. Railroad began in 1830s, Lincoln’s hidden weapon in civil war. 25,000 troops sent on

a journey South general Benedict on board. Took 7 days. Norths railway network under government control. Weapon of war. 24,000 miles of rail track. North adds 4,000 during the civil war. All major cities

connected. Huge advantage for troops and supplies. Able to enlist almost 2 million troops.

Telegraph, 1844 invention of Morse code. Huge advantage for Lincoln. 50,000 miles of network. Poles snake out of railroad lines. Lincoln places them under military control.

North had to invade and occupy the entire South. Poor leadership in the North.

•• The course of the Civil How significant were the Gettysburg: fought July 1-3 rd 1963.

War: military campaigns; the reasons for the final defeat of the Confederacy

Union’s superior resources to their victory in the Civil War?

‘Union Victory at Gettysburg was the key turning point in the Civil war’Assess the validity of this view.

Often seen as turning point in the American Civil War. Robert E.Lee’s plan to invade the North and plans to force an immediate end to the

war failed. He hoped to cross the Potomac River from Virginia, pass through the border state of

Maryland, and begin waging an offensive war on Union soil, in Pennsylvania. Had the plan succeeded Lee could have conquered the nation’s capital. The federal

government could’ve been disabled and high government officials (including President Lincoln) could’ve been captured.

The Union would’ve been forced to accept peace with the Confederates and the existence of slavery would have been made permanent.

However, after three days of intense fighting Lee’s army was forced to withdraw and lead his badly affected army back through Maryland to Virginia.

No major Confederate invasions into the North were attempted after this. After Gettysburg battles would be fought on Confederate ground.

Gettysburg carried no military significance but had a series of roads that passed through.

Union counterpart was General George Meade. Union troops 95,000 and Confederate 75,000. Was the largest battle in North of America.

Early Reconstruction, 1865–1867 (A-level only)Content Possible Essays Notes•• Planning for the future after the war: the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation; Lincoln’s aims;the approach to preparing for post-war reconstruction

‘Lincoln’s planning for the future after the war was too lenient on the South.’

Assess the validity of this view

April 1865 Lincoln began planning rehabilitation for the: Physical, economic, social and political areas within the US. The war had crushed the Southern economy and 20% of the southern male population were dead. Slavery abolished from now on and many plantation owners lacked the only form of labour they had ever known.

Freeing the slaves did not give them equality or unite the Southern blacks and whites.

Political damage – how were the Southern states going to be a part of the Union again? Reconstruction dominated political debate. Released many Northerners were also angry and Southerners blamed the North for starting the war and radical

Southerners didn’t even think the Union should be restored. As early as December 1863 Lincoln delivered his proclamation of Amnesty and

Reconstruction plan – his plan became known as the 10% PLAN. Required former confederates take an oath claiming alliance with the Union and accepting the end to slavery. When 10% of the voting population had taken this Oath they could set up a new state government, once this new gov had outlawed slavery they could then be re-admitted to the Union.

He began his plan by granting all the men who fought against the Union ‘amnesty’ (meaning they are forgiven and would not be punished) High Ranking officials, those who mistreated prisoners of war did not receive amnesty.

Lincoln hoped to expand suffrage – aimed that new state governments allowed Black African Americans the right to vote as long as they met the same requirements as everyone else in terms of property ownership, literacy and military service for the Union.

In Republican Party disagreement over Reconstruction. Lincoln and most moderates wanted to expand some rights for blacks without being too ambitious about social reforms.

Congress disagreed with Lincolns plan, Radical Republicans and legislative branch had their own plans. Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner wanted harsh punishment for those who represented the Confederacy. WANTED TO HELP THE BLACK AMERICANS MORE AND CONGRESS FELT LINCOLN WAS TOO LENIENT ON SOUTH.

CONGRESS PLAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION: July 2nd, 1864 responded to 10% PLAN. WADE DAVIES BILL: Gave power for reconstruction to congress and not the

president. Said: states had to agree to a new constitution which abolished slavery and prevented confederate officers and gov officials from voting. Majority of male population of each state had to take a loyalty Oath. Formed to reduce Lincoln’s power. Lincoln vetoed the bill. Upset many Radical Republicans ☹!!!

Emancipation Proclamation: On September 22nd days after Union victory at the battle at Antietam, declaring it

effective from Jan 1st 1863. All slaves rebellious states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

Did not free a single slave, important turning point in war, transforming fight to

preserve nation into a battle for human freedom. •• The Thirteenth Amendment: origins and impact

To what extent did the 13th Amendment change both the Civil War and the USA?

- 13 TH AMENDMENT on April 8th 1864 failed to get 2/3 majority in the House. Passed by Congress Jan 31st 1865 ratified on Dec 6th 1865. Abolished slavery in the US except as punishment for a crime. Passed in the Senate on April 8, 1865 and the House on Jan 31 1865.

- First of the reconstructions Amendments.- Slavery is not mentioned as ‘legalised’ in the US constitution. Although through the

Supreme Court (Dredd Scott case. Fugitive Slave Act – branding all slaves as property).

- STATED ‘neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime whereof the individual will have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.’

- ‘Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation’.- Senator Charles Sumner (1864) was one of the first abolitionists to write an

amendment to go to the judiciary committee, more flowery language. Judiciary changed the language slightly.

- Lincoln under pressure due to 1864 election. Had to gain support for the new Amendment. John Fremont dropped out and Lincoln wins in 1864.

- Although he was worried that it could be over turned by Judiciary. - Many of Southern states ratified the Amendment. - Many Northern Democrats lost their seats in the 1864 election. - Amendment passed through the Senate quickly. Lincoln only president to sign the

Amendment. - April 15th Lincoln Assassinated!! New President Andrew Johnson from Tennessee’s

responsibility to get Amendment passed through US states. •• The Fourteenth Amendment: Thaddeus Stevens; Radical republicans; the struggle to pass theamendment; the Reconstruction Acts

To what extent were the Radical Republicans responsible for the Conflict with President Johnson?

Radical Republicans:Thaddeus Stevens Abolitionist, anti-slavery. From Pennsylvania and one of the Radical Republican faction of Republican Party during 1860s. Fierce opponent of slavery and against discrimination of African-Americans. Elected to congress 1848. Did not like Johnson. Came into conflict with Johnson in April 1865 Charles SumnerPolitician, Senator from Massachusetts. Radical Republican in US Senate. Leader of anti-

slavery forces working to destroy confederacy. Aimed to free all slaves and keep good terms with Europe. 1861 chairman of the Committee on Foreign relations. The Radicals primarily advocated the immediate abolition of slavery and the destruction of the Southern planted class. Famous for ‘Bleeding Kansas’ crisis – denounced the Kansas Nebraska Act. Radical Republicans:

Wanted voting and civil rights for freedmen (moderate Republicans did not want voting rights).

Federal Power Ban ex-Confederates from office and refuse entry into Congress Talk about re-distribution Legislature action (done by Congress) Want to oppose everything Johnson says

14 th Amendment: Passed by Congress July 9 th 1968

‘No state shall make nor enforce any law which shall… Deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.’

In civil rights cases the court … ‘could not have been intended to abolish distinctions based on colour or to enforce social, as distinguished from political equality. ‘

Courts will step in to protect minorities as it will be too hard for them to pass laws in their favour.

Guaranteed all citizens equality before the law. It failed to get the approval of 75% of the states that was needed for it to become law.

ACTS:

- Freedman Bureau: March 3rd 1865 Aimed to resolve the suffering of Southern blacks. Provided food, clothes and medical care. It’s creation symbolised the widespread Republican belief that the federal government should shoulder some responsibility for freedmen’s well-being.

- Civil Rights Act: 9th April 1866. Moderate and Radical Republicans now joined forces to introduce Civil Rights Acts. Aimed to guarantee minimum rights to black people. Johnson failed to override the Act, his veto got overridden.

•• The presidency of Andrew Johnson: personality and aims; conflicts with Congress; break with theRepublicans; impeachment

To what extent were President Johnson’s actions towards the former Confederate States the cause of the deep divisions, 1865-1868?

Andrew Johnson: DEMOCRAT believed the South never had the right to seceded in the first place. Southerner, resented the elites in the South, didn’t think that African Americans should have a role in reconstruction.

Born in extreme poverty, North Carolina. Moved to Tennessee 1857 became Senator 1864 became Vice President Lonely Stubborn Intolerant of criticism Unable to be compromise Not keen on sense of public opinion (democracy).

Aims: Lenient Reconstruction policy Claims his intentions were to continue Lincoln’s policy. Viewed reconstruction as an executive not legislative function. Hoped to restore the Southern states to the Union before Congress met in Dec 1865. Johnson saw no alternative but to work with ex-confederates. Believed it was federal government’s responsibility to decide suffrage issues or to

involve itself in economic and social matters. He did not consider blacks to be equal Opposed black suffrage no vote/rights for freed slaves Believed that slaves had joined with their owners to oppress poor white people in

South. Shared this view with the black delegation.

Radical Reconstruction, 1867–1877 (A-level only)Content Possible Essays Notes•• The presidency: the election of 1868 and Andrew Johnson’s Christmas amnesty; the aims andpolicies of Ulysses Grant; personalities; policies; conflicts with Congress

To what extent were President Johnson’s actions towards the former Confederate States the cause of the deep divisions, 1865-1868?

‘The Presidency of Ulysses Grant was positive in ensuring the rights of former slaves’Assess the validity of this view

Johnson’s actions: Made the process of Confederate states joining the Union as easy as possible. He appointed provisional state governors who tried their best to cooperate with white

Southerners. Governors organised elections for state conventions (white only voters). Conventions drew up new constitutions that accepted slavery was illegal. State allowed back into the Union Dec 1865 declares the Union as restored. Failed to work with gov/legislature

24 th Feb 1868 Johnson Impeached: (Offence committed whilst in office) on March 13 his impeachment trial began in Senate under direction of the US Supreme Court. Black codes: Series of statutes and laws intact in 1865 and 66 by legislatures of the Southern states Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina following the end of the Civil war, beginning of reconstruction. Created to restrict the power of ex-slaves in the South. Right to own property restricted, conduct business, buy and lease land, permission to travel, segregation, different laws and punishments, prevented freedom to vote or serve on juries. Ulysses Grant Presidency:

1868 Grant resigned the war post, breaking with Johnson who was later impeached but acquitted by a single vote in May 1868. Republicans nominated Grant as their nominee. Democrats choose Seymour. Grant won by an electoral margin of 214-80 and received more than 52 percent of the popular vote. At age 46, he became the youngest president-elect in U.S. history up to that time.

Tried to foster a peaceful reconciliation between the North and South Supported pardons from former Confederate leaders Attempted to protect the civil rights of freed slaves. signed legislation aimed at limiting the activities of white terrorist groups like the Ku

Klux Klan Critics charged that Grant’s actions violated states’ rights, while others contended that

the president did not do enough to protect freedmen

Scandals under Grant: James Fisk (1835-1872) and Jay Gould (1836-1892) attempted to influence the

government and manipulate the gold market. Plot failed, resulted in financial crisis. September 24, 1869, known as Black Friday.

Grant’s reputation suffered even though he was not directly involved in the scheme. Due to him being personally associated with Fisk and Gould prior.

Whiskey Ring, exposed in 1875 involved network of distillers, distributers and public officials who conspired to defraud the federal government of millions in liquor tax revenue. Grant’s private secretary Babcock involved.

Civil service reform faced opposition from Congress. Left the white house in March 1877.

How significant was the impact of Radical Reconstruction in the South, 1867 to 1877?

Reconstruction Act of 1867 gave African Americans the right to vote in the South. However, they still lacked the vote in some states in the North. There was concern that the gains they had made would be lost if the white Southern Democrats ever gained control of congress. The Acts gave Congress complete control over the policies made in government in relation to Reconstruction in the South. Congressional Reconstruction.

•• Resistance to Radical Reconstruction in the South: Southern Democrats and ‘Redeemers’; the KuKlux Klan; the issue of voter registration

‘The KKK resistance to Radical Reconstruction in the years 1867 to 1876, was responsible for its failure’Assess the validity of this view.

‘The ‘Redeemers’ were principally motivated by the desire to remove corruption from politics in the South, in the years 1868 to 1877.’

Assess the validity of this

- Enforce pro Union governments in the South. Punish those who participated in the rebellion.

- Republicans, Carpet beggars, Freedmen and Scalawags fled south to encourage survival of Democracy, while protecting new rights of African Americans.

- White supremacists eventually gained a hold of South. Domestic terrorism.- By beginning of 1870s the ‘redeemers’ surfaced with the guarantees of restoring the

old orders of the South. (Mainly wealthy businessmen, farmers and merchants.) - All white pro-democratic party group, shared a general distain for republicanism/

rights for African Americans.- Collective goal destroy the political institutions and race relations formed during

Reconstruction. - Sought to destroy Republican controlled state governments and remove African

Americans from political positions, restrict right to equality. - Not believe in ‘Federal Intervention’ or view hands on state government as necessary

in South. LIMIT POWER OF STATE GOVERNMENTS.- State budgets reduced in education, health care and transportation (where equality

view. could be supported with funding).- Taxes cut for thousands of white planters who struggled to pay tax on Republican

regime.- All white jury and high fee for crimes.- African Americans still had right to vote but under strict conditions. Slowly eliminated

any black politicians from government.- Pole tax and literacy test to vote. Bad for AM no education or funds.- White supremacy thrived by end of Reconstruction 1877.- Only in Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi was there a majority of AM.- (Andrew Flowers, a Chattanooga, TN black who defeated a white in an election for

JPS’s in 1870 local KKK whipped him. Oct 1870 armed whites attacked a Republican gathering in Eutaw, Alabama, killing 4 blacks wounding 54).

15 th Amendment: Granting African American men the right to vote, formally adopted to the US Constitution 30 th March 1870. “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Despite the amendment, by the late 1870s, various discriminatory practices were used to prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote, especially in the South.

•• The end of Radical Reconstruction: the position of African-Americans in North and South by 1877

To what extent did the position of African-Americans improve in the years 1865 to 1877?

Economics: + - - Education in 3,000 schools across South. - Beginning of a black middle class; black businesses, serving black communities.- 1 in 5 farmers owned land. - Sharecroppers; blacks get a share of the revenue; supplies, food, water, shelter and a

small wage. - Large fall in cotton price by 1873. DEPRESSION OF 1873. Sharecroppers in debt. - Democrats aimed to reduce black economic power – over charged on lodges, seeds. - Underpaid black farmers for product. ( white price ^ black price ˅ ) - In 1867 12% of wealthy blacks in America.

Politics: - 15 members of House of Representatives, 2 Senators elected who were black by 1877.- South Carolina – House of Representatives 100 out of 123 members black - 1870 15th Amendment voting rights goes down after 1877.

- Over 100 years till next Confederate President. - Literacy test introduced entitle blacks to vote.- Intimidation, violence target polling station (KKK)- Black representatives minor impact, blamed blacks for things going wrong.- Black Codes; stopped black men from being on juries.- Lack of unity between blacks and whites- Freedmen’s bank collapsed and money lost.

Social: - FORCE ACTS (Protection from KKK)- Independent black community Freedmen’s Bureau made; - community, education,

healthcare, church- Impact; military courts (racial discrimination) - KKK- attacks on black community, black people supporting in office, do not feel safe

during Reconstruction.- Freedmen’s Bureau collapse – Grant looking to work with redeemers - Freedmen’s bank collapsed money lost - Black community in face of very powerful forces.