Reconstruction Plans Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan Offered a pardon (official forgiveness of a crime) to any Confederate who took an oath of allegiance. Denied pardons to all Confederates who had killed African American war prisoners. Permitted each state to create a new state constitution (only when 10% of voters had sworn their allegiance) States should hold elections and resume full participation in the Union. Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan Pardoned southerners who swore allegiance to the Union. Permitted each state to hold a constitutional convention (without Lincoln’s 10%) States could hold elections to rejoin the Union ONLY if they voided secession, abolished slavery and denied the Confederate debt. Slavery Even though Johnson remained in Washington supporting President Lincoln, he closely identified with his fellow Southerners' views on slavery. Johnson disagreed strongly with their calls to break up the Union over the issue. Johnson the Hero Johnson was deemed a traitor; his property was confiscated and his wife and two daughters were driven from the state. In the North, however, Johnson's stand made him an overnight hero. Emancipation Though Johnson was deeply committed to saving the Union, he did not believe in the emancipation of slaves. After Lincoln made him the military governor of Tennessee, Johnson convinced the President to exempt Tennessee from the Emancipation Proclamation. By the summer of 1863, however, he began to favor emancipation as a war measure. Equality for Blacks It quickly became clear that Johnson would block efforts to force Southern states to guarantee full equality for blacks. The stage was set for a showdown with Congress, who viewed black voting rights as crucial to their power base in the South. Stopping the President In 1866, Congress passed the Freedmen's Bureau Bill. Congress also passed the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, authorizing the federal government to protect the rights of all citizens. Each of these -- except the Amendment -- was passed over President Johnson's veto. Impeach the President In a final humiliating gesture, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which stripped the President of the power to remove federal officials without the Senate's approval. In direct opposition to the act, he fired Secretary of War Stanton. Congress then voted to impeach Johnson by a vote of 126 to 47 in February 1868. Impeach the President Citing his violation of the Tenure of Office Act and charging that he had brought disgrace and ridicule on Congress, an impeachment trial was held. By a margin of one vote, the Senate voted not to convict Johnson, and he served the duration of the term won by Lincoln. 13th Amendment 1865 “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Officially abolished and prohibited slavery. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT: 1866 – gives citizenship to African Americans and guarantees equal protection under the law. 14th Amendment 1868 “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws…” Prevented states from denying rights to any United States citizen. th 15 Amendment 1870 “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Gives all citizens the right to vote regardless of race, color, or former servitude. Land African Americans’ New Freedoms ownership: could purchase land Worship: formed their own churches, volunteer groups, clubs, and associations. Education: In 5 years, they founded 30 African American learning institutions. Sharecropping: provided land and capital for workers; both parties working together Freedmen’s Bureau: gave clothing, medical supplies, education, and meals to black and white war refugees. Radical Reconstruction The free movement of blacks terrified the less populated whites. Black Codes: laws restricting the rights of newly freed African Americans; such as, contract negotiation, travel, weapons, and property ownership. (some states were more radical) Ku Klux Klan (KKK): lynching blacks and any whites who might support them. Radical Reconstruction US v. CRUIKSHANK (1875) A mob of whites attacked and killed 100 blacks over black voting rights. The court ruled that the Reconstruction amendments only applied to state governments and not individuals. This made it difficult to prosecute groups such as the KKK for civil rights violations. End of Reconstruction The end of Reconstruction was met with extreme racism and corruption. By 1877 Reconstruction was dead and the North had lost interest in helping Southern blacks. Many factors contributed to its demise: 1. Economic troubles in the country 2. A more conservative turn in the nation 3. A general feeling that Reconstruction failed 4. The resurgence of the Democratic party 5. Allowance of racist attitudes. Closure What were the similarities and differences between Lincoln and Johnson’s Reconstruction plans? What were the 13, 14, 15 Amendments? How did the Freedmen’s Bureau and Black Codes effect African Americans? Why did Reconstruction fail?