Mr. Lahasky - APUSH Period 5 - Lecture #26 - Reconstruction I: Federal Reconstruction Policy

Summary

This video explores the tumultuous Reconstruction period following the Civil War, examining the tension between moderate and radical Republicans over how to reintegrate the Southern states and address the rights of freed African Americans. It delves into the contrasting visions of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, the rise of radical Republicans in Congress, and the passing of landmark amendments that granted civil rights. Despite these efforts, the video highlights how Southern resistance and economic inequalities undermined lasting change, leaving the legacy of Reconstruction still relevant in modern American history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Civil War ended with Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, but questions about the future of the South, Confederate leaders, and freed slaves remained unresolved.
• 😀 Reconstruction, the period between 1865 and 1877, was marked by a debate over how best to reintegrate the South and address racial and political issues.
• 😀 The Republican Party during Reconstruction was divided into two factions: moderates, who favored leniency towards the South, and radicals, who sought to ensure civil rights for African Americans.
• 😀 President Abraham Lincoln favored a moderate approach to reconstruction, offering a lenient plan for Southern reintegration known as the 10 Percent Plan.
• 😀 Radical Republicans, led by Thaddeus Stevens, sought fundamental changes to Southern society, including racial equality and land redistribution for freed slaves.
• 😀 Lincoln’s assassination in 1865 led to Andrew Johnson, a conservative Southerner, assuming the presidency and pursuing a lenient approach that angered radical Republicans in Congress.
• 😀 Johnson’s policies, which included amnesty for former Confederates and restoring land to Southerners, sparked a confrontation with Congress, which passed laws like the Freedmen's Bureau to protect African Americans.
• 😀 Radical Republicans wrested control of Reconstruction from President Johnson, passing laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867.
• 😀 The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments—known as the Reconstruction Amendments—laid the legal foundation for civil rights, including the abolition of slavery, citizenship for African Americans, and voting rights.
• 😀 Despite efforts to enforce equality, Southern resistance, including the rise of groups like the Ku Klux Klan, and economic inequality led to the eventual failure of Reconstruction after 1877.

Q & A

What was the main division within the Republican Party during the Reconstruction era?

The Republican Party during the Reconstruction era was divided into two main factions: moderates and radicals. Moderates focused on quickly restoring the Union without significant changes to southern society, while radicals, led by figures like Thaddeus Stevens, pushed for racial equality and deep societal changes in the South.

What was the difference between Lincoln's 10 Percent Plan and the Radical Republicans' Wade-Davis Bill?

Lincoln's 10 Percent Plan allowed a southern state to rejoin the Union if 10% of its population swore allegiance to the U.S., while the Wade-Davis Bill required 50% of the population to swear an 'ironclad oath' of loyalty, which effectively excluded many former Confederates from the political process.

How did Abraham Lincoln’s assassination affect the direction of Reconstruction?

Lincoln's assassination led to Andrew Johnson, a conservative southerner, taking over as president. Johnson’s lenient approach to Reconstruction, which sought to restore the South quickly without protecting the rights of freed slaves, caused tension with Radical Republicans in Congress and delayed efforts for lasting reform.

What was Andrew Johnson’s approach to Reconstruction, and how did it differ from Lincoln’s?

Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction was more lenient than Lincoln’s. Johnson revoked Lincoln's land redistribution plans, granted amnesty to former Confederates, and allowed Southern states to rejoin the Union with minimal requirements, whereas Lincoln had supported stricter measures to guarantee the rights of freed slaves.

What role did the Radical Republicans play in shaping Reconstruction policy?

Radical Republicans played a central role in shaping Reconstruction policy by passing laws to protect the rights of freed slaves, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and pushing for military occupation of the South to enforce civil rights laws. They also fought against President Johnson’s leniency and pursued constitutional amendments to secure the rights of African Americans.

What was the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1866?

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was significant because it defined citizenship and guaranteed equal treatment under the law for African Americans. It was a response to the Black Codes in the South and aimed to provide federal protection for African Americans, despite President Johnson’s veto.

How did the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 alter the situation in the South?

The Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 divided the South into five military districts, each governed by a former Union general. This act marked a significant shift towards federal control and military oversight to ensure that southern states adhered to the requirements for rejoining the Union, such as drafting new constitutions and ratifying the 13th and 14th Amendments.

What were the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and how did they shape post-war America?

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were key constitutional changes during Reconstruction. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all born or naturalized in the U.S., and the 15th Amendment prohibited denying voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. These amendments aimed to integrate freed slaves into American society as full citizens.

Why did the Radical Republicans believe military occupation was necessary during Reconstruction?

Radical Republicans believed military occupation was necessary to enforce civil rights for African Americans and ensure the southern states complied with federal laws and constitutional amendments. They felt that without this oversight, the South would resist or circumvent federal policies meant to secure equality for freed slaves.

What was the long-term impact of Reconstruction on southern society?

Despite the passage of radical legislation and amendments during Reconstruction, the long-term impact on southern society was limited. The South resisted change through systems like sharecropping and Jim Crow laws, which perpetuated racial inequality. The failure to fully address economic and social disparities meant that many aspects of pre-war Southern society remained intact, even after Reconstruction ended.