Texas History
Chapter 16: Reconstruction
The South rebuilds after the Civil War
RECONSTRUCTION
The time
period of
reestablishing
governments
in the South
after the Civil
War.
Radical Republicans
Members of
Congress who
set strict
standards for
admitting
Southern states
back into the
Union
Emancipation Proclamation
In 1862, President
Lincoln freed all slaves
held in the
Confederacy.
The Emancipation
Proclamation led to
the 13th and 14th
amendments to the
Constitution.
New Amendments
• 13th Amendment:
abolished slavery
• 14th Amendment:
Granted citizenship
to former slaves
• 15th Amendment:
Guaranteed African
American men the
right to vote
General Orders, No. 3
“The people of
Texas are informed
that, in accordance
with a proclamation
from the Executive
of the United
States, all slaves are
free.“ -Gen. Granger,
June 19, 1865
Problems during Reconstruction
To be readmitted to the U.S.,
southern states:
• Had to prohibit slavery
• Cancel ordinance of
secession
• Citizens needed to take
oath of allegiance
• Former Confederate
leaders had to get special
pardon from the
President
Problems during Reconstruction
Freedman’s Bureau
helped former slaves:
• Find jobs
• Find shelter, food,
clothing
• Get education. Formed
public schools so
African American
children could get skills
needed for economic
independence
Problems During Reconstruction
Black Codes limited
the rights of African
Americans. African
Americans were not
allowed to vote, could
not serve on juries,
and could only hold
jobs in agriculture.
Reconstruction Leaders in Texas
Philip Sheridan, military
commander of TX and LA
Elisha Pease, 1867 gov. of TX
Reconstruction Governors in Texas
• (1874) Governor
Richard Coke, from
Waco, had a political
platform that appealed
to all but NOT to
freedmen.
• (1870) Governor Davis
did NOT establish the
Freedmen’s Bureau
Reconstruction Leaders
U.S. President
Andrew
Johnson was
impeached
during
Reconstruction.
Carpetbaggers
Northerners who
came to the South
during
Reconstruction
Scalawags
Southern whites
who supported
Reconstruction were
called “scalawags”.
Ironclad Oath
Before a
Southerners could
vote, they had to
take the Ironclad
Oath.
Texas Constitution of 1866
Many of the
delegates who
wrote the new Texas
Constitution were
actually supporters
of the Confederacy.