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Congressional Reconstruction Plan
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Radical Reconstruction
After sweeping the elections of 1866, the Radical Republicans gained almost
complete control in Congress. Along with their more moderate Republican allies,
they gained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate and thus
gained sufficient power to override any potential vetoes by President Andrew
Johnson. This political ascension, which occurred in early 1867, marked the
beginning of Radical Reconstruction (also known as Congressional
Reconstruction).
The First and Second Reconstruction Acts
Congress began the task of Reconstruction by passing the First Reconstruction Act
in March 1867. Also known as the Military Reconstruction Act or simply the
Reconstruction Act, the bill reduced the southern states to little more than
conquered territory, dividing them into five military districts, each governed by a
Union general. Congress declared martial law in the territories, dispatching troops
to keep the peace and protect former slaves.
Congress also declared that southern states needed to redraft their constitutions,
ratify the Fourteenth Amendment, and provide voting rights to blacks in order to
seek readmission into the Union. To further protect voting rights for former
slaves, Republicans passed the Second Reconstruction Act, placing Union troops
in charge of voter registration. Congress overrode two presidential vetoes
(rejections) from Johnson to pass the bills.
Modified from: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/reconstruction/section3.rhtml