You have 15 minutes to complete the “Bell Ringer”
June 2011 regents questions #1-16.
We will go over them after, but this will be a good indication
as to how well you know this information!!
OBJECTIVES
1) Define the period of American Reconstruction.
2) List and outline the 3 different plans for Reconstruction.
3) Discuss the terms of the Wade-Davis Bill.
4) Describe the 14th Amendment.
5) Discuss the outcome of the 1866 Congressional Election.
The period between the end of the Civil War (1865)
until the election of Rutherford B. Hayes (1877).
This is the period of time in American history that
the United States rebuilt itself from the massive
destruction of the Civil War
(economically, politically, ideologically, etc.)
There are 3 plans for
reconstruction we need
to look at:
1) Lincoln’s Plan
2) Johnson’s Plan
3) Congress’ Plan
Before his assassination, Lincoln conceived a plan for the rebel
southern states to re-join the Union. Lincoln believed that
secession was impossible (according to the constitution). So he
favored a lenient plan for the south to rejoin the union.
“Since the Southern
states never legally left
the Union, they should
be restored to the Union
as soon as possible”
-Lincoln
The 10% Plan
- Wanted the south to return quickly and easily
- Lincoln felt that individuals were responsible, not the state as
a whole
- Lincoln would pardon all Confederates that took an oath of
allegiance
- Once 10% of the states voters (in the 1860 election) took the
oath, they could regain statehood and representation in the
US government
- Would NOT pardon high ranking officials in the CSA or those
accused of crimes against POWs
On your own, come up with
ONLY ONE SENTENCE
to describe Lincoln’s 10% plan!
Radical Republicans opposed the plan. They wanted the southern states
to be punished more for secession. They also wanted full citizenship for
all blacks, including suffrage (or the right to vote).
Wade-Davis Bill
- This bill put Congress in charge of reconstruction, taking the power
away from the president (this was written by Congress)
- Stated that a majority of the population would have to swear
allegiance (in place of Lincoln’s 10% rule)
- Lincoln used a “Pocket Veto” on this bill
According to the Constitution, after Congress has passed/approved a
bill, the President has 10 days to either sign it or veto it. If the President
does neither, it is automatically a Law.
BUT…
If Congress passes/approves a bill within the last 10 days of a
congressional session, the rules change. The President can either sign it
into Law, or just ignore it (or pocket it). If it gets ignored, it is the same
as a veto  hence “pocket veto”.
With the person next to you, explain the details of Lincoln’s
Plan AND Congress’s reaction!
Brain Break!
In May of 1865, Johnson revealed his own plan for Presidential Reconstruction. Johnson was a supporter of
state’s rights. He was also from Tennessee, which made many southerners happy/relieved!
States to be re-admitted to the Union
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, N Carolina, S Carolina, Texas
-
Rules for Re-Admittance
Each state must formally withdraw their secession
Swear allegiance to the Union
Pay for their own (Confederate) war debts
Ratify the 13th Amendment
High ranking Confederates could not vote
Many Radical Republicans were angry about the terms of Johnson’s Plan. It did not address
the following issues regarding newly freed slaves:
1) land ownership, 2) suffrage, 3) protection under the laws.
• The Confederate states agreed to the terms… with a few exceptions.
• Johnson did pardon many high raking confederate officials, which angered Radical
Republicans.
• Due to Johnson’s actions, many blacks felt betrayed.
• Johnson felt that “reconstruction” was finished!
By mid-1866, the battle lines were set between Congress and President Johnson.
Congress overrode all the president’s vetoes and the president vetoed every bill Congress passed.
Now they would start working towards the 14th amendment…
th
14
Amendment
“All persons born or naturalized in
the United States” were full citizens
Details
- All “citizens” are entitled to equal protection under the law
- No state could deprive “citizen” of life, liberty, or property
Congressional Elections of 1866
Race riots broke out all over the south and approx. 80 blacks were killed…
The outcome of the election was that the Republican party won many of the Congressional
seats and made up more than 2/3 of Congress.