Reconstruction
Rebuilding the Union
Chapter 18
Section 1
Why did presidential
Reconstruction fail under
Johnson?
1865-1877 – Reconstruction – rebuilding
Southern society and government.
 President Lincoln –2nd Inaugural Address.
“with malice toward none, with charity for
all”
 Freedmen’s Bureau – a federal agency set
up to assist former enslaved people.

Reconstruction under Johnson
Believed president is in charge of
Reconstruction, rather than Congress.
 Amnesty, or official pardon, to most white
Southerners.
 Must pledge loyalty to the U.S. and
property would be returned.
 Thirteenth amendment – banned slavery.

Johnson Con’t
Wanted Southern states to be admitted as
soon as possible. States would address
matters of former slaves.
 Black codes – limited the freedom of
formerly enslaved.
 Northerners suspected Southerners of trying
to bring back the “old south”.

The Impact of Reconstruction





What were the effects of Congressional
Reconstruction?
Delegates to draft state constitutions –
Republicans
Scalawags (scoundrels) – went along with the
Radical Republicans.
Carpetbaggers – white Northerners who rushed to
the South seeking wealth or political power.
African Americans – skilled workers or teachers.
New Southern Governments
New constitutions gave vote to adult males.
 All Southern states allowed back into the
Union.
 700 African Americans served in Southern
legislatures; 16 U.S. Congressmen.
 Johnson fought with Radical Republicans.
 1867 Tenure of Office Act – prohibited
president from firing government officials
without Senate approval.

Johnson Impeached
Johnson fired his Secretary of War over
Reconstruction disagreements.
 3 days later impeached, formal accusation
of improper conduct.
 Moved to Senate for trial.
 Acquitted by one vote.

Congressional Reconstruction
? What were the goals of Congressional
Reconstruction?
 Congress exercised its Constitutional right
to decide whether its members are qualified
to hold office.
 Radical Republicans – full and equal
citizenship for African Americans.

Civil Rights
Civil Rights Act of 1866 said that all people
born in the U.S.(except Native
Americans)were citizens. (equal rights)
 Johnson vetoed. (stopped it from becoming
law)
 Two-thirds of the House and Senate vote to
override the veto. It became law.

Civil Rights con’t



14th amendment- all people born or naturalized in
the U.S. were citizens. “equal protection under the
law”.
Any state that kept African Americans from voting
would lose representation in Congress.
Reconstruction Acts of 1867 – divided South into
5 military districts. Could join the Union if they
approved new state constitutions with vote to all
adult men; ratify the 14th amendment.