The Politics of Reconstruction

1
The Politics of Reconstruction

• Assassination of Lincoln
• Andrew Johnson
• Reconstruction - 10 plan
• Radical Republicans
• Thaddeus Stevens
• Wade-Davis Bill
• Freedmans Bureau

2
Assassination of Lincoln

• April 14, 1865
• Lincoln went to Fords Theater to relax
• John Wilkes Booth
• Southern sympathizer
• Shot Lincoln in the head
• Part of a conspiracy
• Lincoln died the next day
• Booth was tracked down and killed 12 days later

3
Andrew Johnson

• VP for Lincoln
• Democrat from Tenn.
• Former slave owner, but later favored
  abolitionism
• Wanted harsh treatment for the leaders of the
  rebellion in early 65

4
Why the South lost the War

• Lack of resources
• Loss of Stonewall Jackson
• Manpower

5
Reconstruction

• 1863-1877 Reconstruction Period
• The war ended in Tenn. in 63
• Lincoln proposed a reconstruction plan known as
  the 10 plan
• When 10 of those who voted in the 1860
  election-except high Confederate officers or
  criminals-swore an oath of allegiance to the
  Union, a new state govt could be set up
• Reverse order of succession

6
Radical Republicans

• Opposed Lincolns plan
• Led by Sen. Charles Sumner (Mass.) and Rep.
  Thaddeus Stevens (Penn.)
• Wanted to destroy the political power of former
  slave owners and they wanted to give
  African-Americans the right to vote
• No other country had freed its slaves and given
  them the right to vote.

7
Wade Davis Bill

• Idea created in 64
• Response to Lincolns 10 plan
• Proposed Congress be in charge of Reconstruction
• A majority of states population had to swear
  allegiance to the union in order for a state
  government to be set up.
• Lincoln pocket vetoed the bill
• Republicans were angry

8
Johnsons plan

• Johnson announced his own plan and implemented it
• Placed the President in charge of Recon.
• Renounce secession
• Swear allegiance to the Union
• Annul Confederate war debts
• Ratify the 13th amendment

9
Johnsons Plan cont.

• Failed to address the needs of slaves
• Land
• Voting rights
• Protection under the law
• Most states complied with Johnson by Dec. 65
• Johnson considered Reconstruction finished

10
Freedmans Bureau

• Established in the last months of the war to help
  freed slaves and poor whites with food and
  clothing
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Industrial Institutes
• Teacher training centers
• Program expanded in 1866