Johnson, Congress, &
Reconstruction
Differences of Opinion

President Andrew
Johnson

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

No equal rights/No right
to vote for former slaves
States should decide the
fate of freed people
Punishment for
Confederate leaders
Each state must be
represented for laws to
“count”.

Congress



Right to vote for freed
people
The federal government
should act to ensure
fairness in southern states
Congress composed of
Union states should make
laws for the southern
states.
Reconstruction Act of 1867



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New governments required in Southern States (except
Tennessee)
5 military districts In the south
African-American voting rights
No confederates in office
To reenter Union, the states must ratify the 14th (nativeborn citizenship) amendment and submit constitutions
for approval.
A second act required military commanders to begin
registering voters.
Response to Reconstruction


Many white southerners refuse to vote in state
elections.
Because of this, Republicans gain control of southern
states.
 By 1868 Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, N. Carolina, and S. Carolina have met
conditions. (Mississippi, Virginia, and Texas by
1870)
Johnson opposes Radical
Reconstruction



Violates rights of states
He can control military
commanders (why?)
Congress tries to limit his
power over
reconstruction
Tenure of Office Act

The president must now seek approval to
remove government officials.


This threatens the power of the president.
This act would lead to impeachment
proceedings against the president.
IMPEACHMENT!




In 1867 Johnson suspends Edwin Stanton (Sec.
of War) without congressional approval.
Congress Charges him with violating the Tenure
of Office Act.
Johnson responds by installing military
commanders that congress doesn’t like.
The House impeaches Johnson
Impeachment Trial

Andrew Johnson goes on trial in 1868.

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He claims that he has the right to challenge the Tenure of
Office Act as being unconstitutional.
Also, he claimed that removal of the president over “a
difference of opinion” was wrong.
Congress votes 35-19 in favor of impeachment, but this
is 1 vote shy of the 2/3rds majority needed.
Johnson is able to finish his term, but does not run
again.
Election of 1870

Ulysses S. Grant wins as a Republican
Candidate.


He is helped in his win by garnering almost all the
votes of the freedmen.
After the election, congress passes the 15th
amendment.

This guarantees the right to vote for all male citizens
regardless of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude”
The South During
Reconstruction
Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan
sought to intimidate
former slaves and whites
who fought for equality
through violence and
terror.

Responsbile for a
massacre of AfricanAmerican soldiers during
the civil war, Nathan
Bedford Forrest
eventually became leader
of the Klan.

Through threats and
violence, the Ku Klux
Klan often succeeded in
driving off those they
disagreed with.
th
15
Amendment
Voting Rights

Though equal voting rights were extended in the
15th Amendment, many African-Americans were
prevented from fairly voting.
Improvements

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Public Schools (mostly segregated)
Universities (Morehouse, Atlanta)
Some landownership, mostly sharecropping
though.
Reconstruction Declines

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Northerners begin to lose interest
Southern Democrats begin to regain control as
Republicans splinter.
Former confederates gain amnesty and can vote
and run for office.
The End of
Reconstruction
Amnesty Act

In 1872, Congress passes the Amnesty Act
which pardons almost all former confederates.

How will this affect reconstruction?
Democrats back in Power

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White southerners return to voting
Intimidation prevents African-Americans from
voting in southern states.
This brings the Democrats back into political
power.
The Compromise of 1877

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In the election of 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes
wins, despite losing the popular vote.
The election is contested by democrats.
THE COMPROMISE
Hayes would be president, but reconstruction would
be over.

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The federal government would no longer attempt to
reshape Southern Society.
Some favors would be granted to the South.
The new government would give more aid.
 All remaining troops would withdrawal.
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