Chapter 22 - The Ordeal of Reconstruction

Chapter 22 The Ordeal Of Reconstruction

I. The Problems of Peace

1. After the war there was the question of what to do with the Confederate leaders
   • They were temporarily imprisoned but then released and pardoned by President Johnson
2. Cities along with economic and social structures had collapsed
3. Factories were closed and businesses as well as banks had locked their doors
   • Fields overrun with weeds
4. Southerners still cursed the "damn Yankees" and continued to believe their secession view correct

II. Freedmen Define Freedom

1. Emancipation for slaves did not come quickly; there was general confusion about it
   • Eventually all masters were forced to recognize their slaves' freedom
2. The emancipated blacks took to the roads to better their lives and find their families
3. Church became focus of black community and helped protect their freedom
4. Emancipation also leads to education, a privilege that had been denied to slaves
   • The demand for teachers was more than they had so white women from the American missionary volunteered as teacher.

III. The Freedman's Bureau

1. Congress created the Freeman's Bureau intending to be a kind of primitive welfare a kind of welfare agency
   • It was to provide food, clothing, medical care, and education
   • Oliver O. Howard headed the bureau
   • Achieved great success in education; taught about 200,000 blacks to read
2. In other areas the bureau wasn't great
   • It did not often give slaves land and made them sign labor contracts to former masters
   • Andrew Johnson didn't like it and expired it in 1872

IV. Johnson: The Tailor President

1. Came from the most humble beginnings
   • He was apprenticed to a tailor at 10 and orphaned early
   • Self-taught mostly
2. Stuck into Vice Presidency because of need to attract support from the war Democrats
   • A misfit to the White House, although intelligent and honest he didn't understand the North, was distrusted by the South and was the wrong man at the wrong time.

V. Presidential Reconstruction

1. Lincoln thought it would be easy to restore the Union
   • He had proclaimed a "10%" reconstruction plan
   • When 10% of a state's voters agreed to emancipation and oath of allegiance to the U.S. they could be reintegrated
2. Congress made the Wade-Davis Bill require 50% of voters to agree and stronger emancipation safe guards
3. Controversy marked the difference between Lincoln and Congress
   • Two factions among the Republicans 1) majority moderate group who wanted the South back in simply, swiftly, and reasonably 2) the minority radical group who wanted to see the South punished
4. Johnson agreed with Lincoln that the seceded states had never been legally out of the Union and agreed to let them in with Lincoln's 10% government

VI. The Baleful Black Codes

1. Black codes are laws designed to regulate the affairs of the emancipated blacks
   • Penalties imposed on black who "jumped" their labor contracts which made them work for 1 year for minimal pay
2. Codes also restored pre-emancipation race-relations They weren't allowed to be on jury and couldn't vote
   • ·Oppressive laws mocked the ideal of freedom It was hard to rise economically and the emancipated blacks became slaves to the soil once again

VII. Congressional Reconstruction

1. In December 1865, Southern states chose their former Confederate Generals and Colonels as Congress representatives
   • This infuriated Republicans in Congress because they didn't want to let their enemies in the Capitol again
2. Republicans had enjoyed a rule without an opposing party
   • This time the South would have more representation because ex-slaves now counted as a whole person and not 3/5th of a person
   • They feared the South would take over Congress
3. The angry Republicans did not let the new delegates in on the 1st day of Congressional session President Johnson angered Northerners when he announced that the previously rebellious states were to be fully part of the Union

VIII. Johnson Clashes With Congress

1. A clash between the President and Congress erupted in February
   • Johnson vetoed a bill extending Freeman's Bureau and then Congress passed the Civil Rights Bill giving blacks privileges
2. Fearing that Southerners in Congress might one day repeal the bill, they passed the 14th Amendment
   • It gave civil rights and citizenship to freedmen, reduced Congress representation of states that didn't let blacks on the ballot; also disqualified from office former Confederates and guaranteed federal debt
3. But President Johnson advised the Southern states to reject it

IX. Swinging Around The Circle With Johnson

1. Congress and President still disagreeing
2. Johnson was still sympathetic to the South
   • He went on tour to speak, denouncing the radical Republicans of murders and riots, his reputation dropped 2/3rd of ballots in Congress had gone to the Republicans

X. Republican Principles And Programs

1. Republicans had a veto-proof Congress under control 1 of 2 radicals: Charles Sumner (in the Senate) - labored for black equality 2 of 2 radicals: Thaddeus Stevens (in the House) - a friend to blacks2.
2. 2 radicals were opposed to rapid Southern restoration and wanted to bring a drastic and economic change in the South
3. Moderates didn't want to infringe as much on state's rights
   • Both influences were felt in Congress, both agreed that blacks should vote

XI. Reconstruction By The Sword

1. Congress passed the Reconstruction Act on March 2, 1867.
   • Divided the South into 5 military districts, each commanded by a general.
   • Required that states wishing to be administered had to pass the 14th Amendment
2. 15th Amendment passed in 1869 - granted black men the right to vote
3. Military reconstruction of the South set up martial regime.
   • Once troops left, the South went back to its old government
   • finally in 1877 last federal muskets were removed and a Democratic South was made

XII. No Women Voters

1. The Reconstruction era's new amendments delighted the abolitionists but no mention was made off the women who helped so much and were so crucial in this time
   • ·Women's Legal League gathered about 400,000 signatures to get congress to prohibit slaves
2. Women were shocked when the word "male" was added to the constitution under the 14th Amendment
   • Frederick Douglas believed this was "the negro hour"

XIII. The Realities Of Radical Reconstruction In The South

1. Blacks now had some more freedom
2. They organized politically and used the Union league
   • It turned into a network of political clubs that educate members in civic duties African Americans movies helped show pride but didn't get to vote
3. 3 former slave owners were upset and called freedman's white allies scalawags and carpet baggers

XIV. The Ku Klux Klan

1. Many whites resorted to savage measures the most notorious was the "Invisible Empire of the South" a.k.a. The Ku Klux Klan
   • They pretended to be ghosts and hurt the blacks
   • Also hurt and killed many blacks
2. Congress passed the Harsh Force Acts
   • Managed to stamp out these cruel acts

XV. Johnson Walks The Impeachment Plank

1. Radicals didn't like President Johnson and tried to impeach him

XVI. A Not Guilty Verdict For Johnson

1. Charged him with "high crimes and misdemeanors" the Senate tried to impeach Johnson and the House prosecuted the president
2. Voted not guilty by margin of one vote

XVII. The Purchase Of Alaska

1. In 1867 Secretary of State William Seward signed a treaty with Russia that bought Alaska for 72 million dollars.
   • Russia didn't want to lose Alaska to Britain and wanted to make the U.S. stronger
2. The common folk thought it was a waste of money but Congress didn't want to offend Russia so they bought it (plus the potential gold)

XVIII. The Heritage Of Reconstruction

1. Despite good intensions by Republicans they resented the old South than reconstructed it
   • Southerners felt that the reconstruction was more painful that the war itself.
   • It would take generations to stop the racial discrimination.