The Ordeal of Reconstruction

1. The Ordeal of Reconstruction 1865-1877 “With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations” Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural, March 4, 1865

2. The US Permanently Altered • Reunification- we are a “singular nation” not a “collection of states”. • Slavery officially banned by 13th Amendment • Northern industrial power= industrial growth= (steel, oil, RR) • Expansion of federal power • Homestead Act (1862) “free land” up to 160 acres. • Pacific Railway Act (1862) began federally funded Transcontinental RR. • 13th, 14th, 15th amendments- first 12 limited government power; these expand it.

3. Voting rights CIVIL WAR AMENDMENTS • 13th AmendmentAbolished slavery(1865) • 14th AmendmentProvided citizenship & equal protection under the law. (1868) • 15th AmendmentProvided the right to vote for all men which included white and black men. (1870) Giving the Black man the right to vote was truly revolutionary……..A victory for democracy!

4. A War of First’s • 1ST Income Tax- declared unconstitutional in the 1870’s; reinstated with 16th Amendment in 1913. • First Conscription/Draft – “forced service’ • 1st Social Welfare Agency- The Freedman’s Bureau • Printing of greenbacks- 1st time; national bank system last until 1913

5. Reconstruction 1865-1877 What were Lincoln’s intentions before his death? • 2nd Inaugural address • President can decide fate of states because they never really left the Union.

6. Reconstruction Plans • The “10 Percent Plan”:advocated by Abraham Lincoln in 1863; believed that the Southern states had never legally withdrawn from the Union • state could be reintegrated into the Union when: a)10% of its voters in the 1860 had taken an oath of loyalty to the US & acknowledged that slavery was over. • next, the state could set a state government • Reactions: • Republicans feared the restoration of the planter class to power & re-enslavement of blacks. • 2. The Wade-Davis Bill (Proposed by “moderate Republicans” in 1864) • 50% of a state’s voters take an oath of loyalty & stronger protections for emancipation • each state’s convention had to abolish slavery & deprive all former Confederate government officials the right to vote or hold office. • Lincoln used the “pocket-veto” to kill this bill.

7. Split in Republican Party over Reconstruction • Moderate Republicans- supported more easy readmission of the South. • “Radical” Republicans • South punished • Social system destroyed • Planter Aristocracy should not be reinstated. • Blacks protected by federal power.

8. President Andrew Johnson • Born in NCto poor parents- orphaned early on • Never attended school- apprenticed at age 10 to a tailor • taught himself to read; his wife taught him to write & complete simple math • Moved to Tenn. At 17 years old- engaged in politics • Champion of poor whites-elected to Congress • Refused to secede with Tenn. • Appointed War Governor over Tenn. after Union troops marched through • champion of state’s rights & the US Constitution • Became a heavy drinker after a bout with typhoid

9. Presidential Reconstruction • Andrew Johnson’s Plan (1865) agreed with Lincoln- seceding states had never legally left the Union- quick re-entry was best. • Johnson recognized several of Lincoln’s “10% governments” & developed his own plan. • Offered a pardon to all former citizens of the Confederacy who took an oath of loyalty & returned their property. • Excluded from pardon former Confederates who owned more than $20,000 in property- these people would have to apply personally to Johnson for a pardon. • state conventions must: • repeal ordinance of secession, • repudiate all Confederate debts, • ratify the 13th amendment. • **DEC. 6, 1865- Johnson says that ALL SOUTHERN STATES HAD BEEN RECONSTRUCTED- READMITTED.

10. pardon

11. Effects of Presidential (Johnson’s) Reconstruction • December 1865, when Congress re-adjourned former Confederate leaders had joined Congress under Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan (4 former Confederate generals, 5 colonels, & various members of the Confederate Congress & cabinet). • Republican power was threatened- slaves now counted as 5/5 of a person for representation= southern states get 12 more votes in Congress & 12 more electoral votes. • Cause for Concern • 1861-1865 Republicans had enjoyed almost complete control of Congress • Southern states could gain 12 more votes in Congress & 12 more electoral votes.

12. Problems with Peace • Former Confederate leaders were not hanged for treason- the only former Confederate hanged was the commandant of the Andersonville Prison. • Jefferson Davis- imprisoned for 2 years; pardoned by Pres. Johnson in 1868. • Robert E. Lee- became president of Washington University (located in Virginia) now known as Washington & Lee University. • Why? It was believed that no Virginia jury would convict them.

13. State of the South at End of the War • Major Cities destroyed-Atlanta, Charleston, Richmond • Economy was destroyed- banks & businesses closed (9,000% inflation). • The Transportation system was destroyed • Agriculture crippled- slave labor system collapsed, seed scarce • Not until 1870- would the South produce as large a cotton crop as they had in 1860. • 5. Planter Class- disrupted; many reduced to poverty ($2 billion invested in slaves=lost) • Southerners remained defiant & cursed the Yankees for their troubles (where the military did not have control- southerners retake control). • Who will decide Reconstruction, the South, Congress or President?

14. South after war 1

15. FREEDMEN ON EMANCIPATION emancipation “I felt like a bird out of a cage. Amen. Amen. Amen. I could hardly ask to feel any better than I did that day…….The week passed off in a blaze ofglory “Men are taking their wives and children, families which had been for a long time broken up are united and oh! Such happiness. I am glad I am here.”

16. FREEDMEN ON EMANCIPATION emancipation “The end of the war, it come just like that---like you snap your fingers….Soldiers, all of a sudden, was everywhere---coming in bunches, crossing and walking and riding. Everyone was a-singing. We was all walking on goldenclouds.Hallelujah! Everybody went wild. We all felt like heroes, and nobody had made us that way but ourselves. We was free. Just like that, we was free.”

17. Gov of Miss Mississippi Governor, 1866: “The Negro is free” “Whether we like it or not; we must realize that fact now and forever. To be free, however, does not make him a citizen or entitle him to social or political equality with the white man.”

18. Freedmen define their freedom • The South was unsure the meaning of “freedom” for blacks= emancipation took effect unevenly across the South. • Many blacks were emancipated & then re-enslaved as the Union Army marched through. • Many whites resisted freedom for former slaves • Some slaves resisted the liberating Union army • Some emancipated slaves joined Union troops in pillaging & looting former masters • Many emancipated slaves took new names • Tens of thousands took to the roads: search for spouses, children etc. • The “Exodusters”- 1878-1880; 25,000 blacks left Louisiana, Texas, & Mississippi to go to Kansas. • The church became the center of community life • Freedmen- raised money purchase land, build schools & hire teachers

19. **The Freedmen’s Bureau • Congress created it on March 3, 1865 to provide food, clothing, medical care, and education to freedmen & white refugees (1st federal relief agency ever!) • was an early type of primitive welfare agency • Headed by Union Gen. Oliver O. Howard (later president of Howard University). • Greatest achievement: taught @ 200,000 blacks to read • Shortcomings: failed to give blacks forty acres of land confiscated from Southerners, local Freedmen administrators collaborated with planters to keep blacks in labor contracts • White South resented the Bureau Oliver O. Howard

21. Forsyth, Georgia, July 22, 1867 Dear Sir, I write to inform you of a most cowardly outrage that took place last Saturday night. Our teacher whom we have employed here was shot down by a crowd of Rebel Ruffians for no other cause than teaching school. General, this is the second teacher that has been assaulted. The rebels make their brags to kill every Yankee teacher that they find. We do not know what we may do if the military does not assist us. The Freedmen are much excited at such an outrage. George H. Clower, William Wilkes, Freedmen

22. Letter by a Teacher teaching freedmen on the importance of education, 1869: “It is surprising to me to see the amount of suffering which many of the people endure for the sake of sending their children to school. Men get very low wages here---from $2.50 to $8.00 month usually, while a first rate hand may get $10.00, and a peck or two of meal per week for rations-----and a great many men cannot get work at all. The women take in sewing and washing, go out by day to sour, etc. There is one woman who supports three children and keeps them at school; she says, “ I don’t care how hard I has to work, if I can only send Sallie and the boys to school looking respectable.” Importance of Educ to freedmen

23. Letter for teachers 1 Letter to the Editor of the National Era Creswell, Texas, November 29, 1867 W.V. Tunstall, School Board, Houston, Texas To the Editor: We need immediately 500 teachers for colored schools in Texas. The colored people in this statecannot supply the demand.There are but a few white Republicans who can engage in the profession of teaching and Rebels (Southern whites) will not teach them. Therefore, our only prospect is to get teachers among the educated colored people of the North or Christian white people who are willing to endureprivations among the heartless whites of the“sunny South.”The late elections have opened the South, I trust, for the introduction of civilization. Send us teachers…….

24. Freedmen’s Bureau 2

25. Freedmen’s Bureau 3

26. Freedmen’s Bureau 4

27. Freedmen’s Bureau 5

28. BLACK CODES • Similar toSlave Codes. • Restricted the freedom of movement. • Limited theirrightsasfree people.

29. BLACK CODES • As southern states were restored to the Union under President Johnson’s plan, they began to enact black codes, laws that restricted freedmen’s rights. • The black codes established virtual slavery with provisions such as these: • Curfews: Generally, black people could not gather after sunset. • Vagrancy laws: Freedmen convicted of vagrancy– that is, not working– could be fined, whipped, or sold for a year’s labor. • Labor contracts: Freedmen had to sign agreements in January for a year of work. Those who quit in the middle of a contract often lost all the wages they had earned. • Land restrictions: Freed people could rent land or homes only in rural areas. This restriction forced them to live on plantations.

30. The Sharecropping System • Thousands of poor blacks & whites became tenant farmers or sharecroppers. • sharecroppers paid ½ to 2/3 of their crops. • landlords sold seed & supplies on credit= debt peonage. • if a sharecropper could not pay his debts, crop liens were placed on the crops (merchants/landlords could take crops) • failure to pay debts= forced labor or imprisonment. • Had Unions soldiers died in vain??

31. Johnson vs. the Radical Republicans • Feb. 1866- Johnson vetoed a bill extending the Freedmen’s Bureau (later it was re-instated). • March 1866- Republicans passed the *Civil Rights Act 1866 (gave US citizenship to blacks)- Johnson vetoed it & Congress overrode his veto. • June 1866 The 14th Amendment- pushed by Republicans because they feared that if southerners regained some control over Congress, they would repeal the Civil Rights Act. • gave civil rights (including citizenship) to freedmen (but not the vote). • reduced the representation in Congress & Electoral College of any state who refused blacks the ballot. • Disqualified former Confederates from state & federal office who had once held federal office & sworn loyalty. • guaranteed the federal debt & rejected Confederate debts. • * Pres. Johnson was opposed to the 14th Amendment & urged southern states to reject it- all did except Tenn.

32. Civil Rights: What Blacks want CIVIL RIGHTS

33. 14th: Rights of Citizens 14th AMENDMENT Rights of Citizens “All persons born in the U.S. are citizens of this country and the statethey reside in.No state shall make or enforce any law which deprives any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction totheequal protection of the laws.” TheCongressshall have power toenforceby appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. 14th

34. Abolitionists vs Women’s rights • Women rights supporters refused to support the 14th Amendment giving African American Men citizenship unless women were added to it. • Abolitionistswould not support women’s rights

35. Johnson’s Veto • President Johnson vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 • Which gave $$$$ to Freedmen’s Bureau for schools and granted citizenship to the Freedmen • Congress believed Johnson was working against Reconstruction and overrode his veto. An inflexible President, 1866: Republican cartoon shows Johnson knocking Blacks of the Freedmen’s Bureau by his veto.

36. The Big Question • Would Reconstruction be carried out with or without the 14th Amendment? • Congressional Elections 1866 • Johnson wanted to get a majority elected to Congress who would favor his soft-on-the South approach. • “the swing around the circle” - late summer of 1866- Johnson was asked to dedicate a monument to Stephen Douglas- he used the opportunity to speak at various venues to support his views. • accused radicals of planning anti-Black riots & murder in the South. • backfired- his approach built strength for the radical view= 1866 elections= Republicans built more than 2/3 majority in both houses= Republicans will dominate Reconstruction. • The Radical Republicans • Led by Charles Sumner (Senate) & Thaddeus Stevens (House) -Leader of Joint Committee on Reconstruction.

37. Quotes of Radicals RADICAL REPUBLICANS Thaddeus Stevens, in Congress, 1866 “Strip a proud nobility of their bloated estates, send them forth to labor and you will thus humble the proud traitors.” Thaddeus Steven, in Congress, 1867 “I am for Negro suffrage in every rebel state. If it be just, it should not be denied: if it be necessary, it should be adopted: if it be a punishment of traitors, they deserve it.”

38. Radical Republicans RADICAL REPUBLICANS Charles Summner Thaddeus Stevens • Wanted to the see the South punished. • Advocated political, social and economic equality for the Freedmen. • Would go after President Johnson through the impeachment process after he vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

39. Republican Views on Readmission “Radical” Republicans- wanted to keep the South from readmission as long as possible. • Bring drastic social & economic transformation in the South Moderate Republicans- • Respected states-rights & self-government • Restrain states from infringing on citizen’s rights • No large federal role infringing on people’s private lives.

40. Johnson & Impeachment • 1867- Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act- required president to get consent of Senate before he could remove appointees (meant to protect Sec. of War Stanton). • 1868- Johnson fired Stanton & House voted 126 -47 to impeach for “high crimes & misdemeanors”. • the trial was held in the Senate- Radicals failed to get 2/3 vote needed to expel the president. • New Precedent was set! • Johnson agreed to stop interfering with Reconstruction policy- he stayed in office. • “Seward’s Folly” • 1867- Sec. of State William Seward signed a treaty with Russia that transferred Alaska to the US for $7.2 million. • Russia had been friendly to the North during the war • territory believed to be teeming with furs, gold etc.

41. JOHNSON'S IMPEACHMENT • Brought up on 11 charges of high crimes and misdemeanors. • Tenure in Office Act: Law Congress passed. President can’t fire any of his cabinet members without consulting Congress. • fired Edwin Stanton • Missed being removed from office by 1 vote in Senate • Reconstruction will NOW be carried out by Radical Republicans! • Presidency would suffer as a result of this failed impeachment. • Johnson agreed not to interfere with Reconstruction • Saved the separation of powers of 3 branches govt.

42. Impeachment process IMPEACHMENT PROCESS Impeachment:Bringing charges against the President. Two steps involved…… 1st Step:U. S. House of Representatives hold hearings to decide if there are crimes committed. They then vote on the charges and if there is a majority, then, charges are brought against the President. 2nd Step:U.S. Senate becomes a courtroom. The President is tried for the charges brought against him. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the judge. Once trial is completed, Senators must vote to remove President with a 2/3’s vote.

43. Once Johnson is impeached, Congress passes Reconstruction Act of 1867. • The South would be reconstructed under the Radical Republicans plan. • Republicans would elect Grant as their President and he would carry out the Radical Reconstruction. “The Strong Government”, 1869-1877. Grant enforcing the Reconstruction Act of 1867 and “forcing” the South to change.

44. March 2,1867- **Congressional (Military)ReconstructionAct • Divided the South into 5 military districts with a Union general in charge of each district (20,000 Union troops in each district used to enforce Reconstruction). • Temporarily disfranchised former Confederates • 2. States had to ratify the 14th Amendment • 3. State constitutions had to guarantee all adult black males the vote (angered white women!) • ** DESIGNED TO FREE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING BLACK RIGHTS. • ** Susan Anthony & others lobbied against it • **15th Amendment (1870)- gave black men the right to vote. - angered white women suffragists • Lincoln & Johnson had supported giving the ballot to blacks gradually-after education, property ownership etc.. • Most Northern states denied blacks voting rights before the 15th.

45. Military Reconstruction Each number indicates the Military Districts

46. An “Oasis” of Freedom • A. Black Political Organization • Union League- based in the North; educated members about civic duty & campaigned for Republican candidates. • African-American women- attended parades, assembled mass meetings in churches • African-American men were elected to state, local, and national offices- helped write new stateconstitutions= true universal male suffrage! • 1868-1876- 14 black Congressmen elected, 2 black senators (Hiram Revels &Blanche K. Bruce) • Blacks served as Lt. Governors, state reps, sheriffs, justices of the peace – no state governors. Blanche K. Bruce Hiram Revels

47. Radical Legislatures (Regimes) • Legislatures formed in the south • under military Reconstruction to form new state constitutions. • Passed badly needed reforms: • Adequate public schools • Tax system streamlined • Public works projects • Property rights guaranteed to women • Graft- rampant in southern state government reconstruction= gave negative impression about Reconstruction in general.

48. Black Congressmen • First Black Senators and representatives in the 42st and 42nd Congress. • Senator Hiram Revels, on the left was elected in 1870 to replace the seat vacated by Jefferson Davis.

49. Reaction of white southerners to Reconstruction • Former slaves- now holding office offended some Southern whites. • Scalawag- name given to any white southerner who (former Unionists or Whigs) who supported Republican Reconstruction. • Carpetbaggers- name given to Northerners who came South; believed to be coming to take advantage of the war torn region- most former Union soldiers or businessmen who wanted to modernize the “New South”.

50. Southern Reaction to Reconstruction • Many whites resented the success & ability of black legislators & the Reconstruction. • Ku Klux Klan (Invisible Empire of the South)- founded in Tenn. 1866; hooded riders traveled at night to scare blacks. • intimidated blacks & white carpetbaggers. • Congress attempts to THWART the KKK • 1870- The Force Acts- Congress passed a law outlawing Klan activities. • whites continued to undermine the empowerment of blacks-disregarded the 14th & 15th amendments • 1890- disfranchisement- poll taxes & literacy tests (fewer & fewer blacks voted) • The Solid South- predominantly voted democrat not Republican until 1980.