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)


2. How would newly freed blacks fare?


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


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.


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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


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

Documents

THE ORDEAL OF RECONSTRUCTION 1865-1877 Chapter 22