CA Social Science Content Standards: 11.1.3, 11.1.4, 11.3.1, 11.10.1

Reconstruction and Its Effects

After the Civil War, the nation embarked on a period

known as Reconstruction, during which attempts

were made to readmit the South to the Union.

Opening Activity:

In a paragraph write

about a time you where a

part of a team or project

that started out with high

hopes, but did not finish

well.

Taking Notes

Define the following terms:

Thirteenth Amendment Andrew Johnson carpetbagger

Freedmen’s Bureau Fourteenth Amendment Hiram Revels

Reconstruction Fifteenth Amendment sharecropping

Radical Republicans scalawag Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

Problem Attempted Solution

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Directions:

List five problems facing the South after the Civil War. Then describe the

solution that was attempted for each problem.

I. The Confederacy Wears Down

A. The North Wins the War

-Lincoln is reelected President in 1864.

-April 1865 Confederacy surrenders.

-Human cost of war: 360,000 Union and 260,000 Confederate

soldiers die.

-Civil War increases power, authority of federal government—

Southern economy shattered.

-Thirteenth Amendment bans slavery in all states.

-April 14, 1865 Lincoln is shot at Ford’s Theater.

II. The Politics of Reconstruction

A. Building a New South

-Freedman’s Bureau established by Congress provides food,

clothing, hospitals, legal protection, and education to former

slaves and poor whites in the South.

-Reconstruction—U.S. rebuilds, readmits South into Union

(1865-1877).

B. Lincoln’s Plan

-State readmitted if 10% of 1860 voters swear allegiance to Union.

-Radical Republicans consider plan too lenient:

*Want to destroy political power of former slave holders.

*Want full citizenship and suffrage for African Americans.

C. Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction

-Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s successor, forms own plan.

-Excludes Confederate leaders, wealthy landowners only difference

from Lincoln’s plan.

-Congress rejects new Southern governments, congressmen.

-Johnson veto’s the Freedmen’s Bureau Act and the Civil Rights

Act.

D. Congressional Reconstruction

-Congress overrides veto, passes Civil Rights Act, Freedmen’s

Bureau Act (1866).

-Fourteenth Amendment grants full citizenship to African

Americans—intended to override Dred Scott decision.

-Reconstruction Act of 1867 divides Confederacy into military

districts—the Southern states could not have representation in

Congress and reenter the Union unless they ratify the Fourteenth

Amendment.

E. Johnson Impeached

-House impeaches for blocking Reconstruction (violating the Tenure

of Office Act); Senate does not convict.

F. U.S. Grant Elected

-Civil War General and hero Ulysses S. Grant elected president in

1868; wins 9 of 10 African-American votes.

-Fifteenth Amendment protects voting rights of African Americans.

III. Reconstructing Society

A. Conditions in the Postwar South

-By 1870, all former Confederate states have rejoined Union.

-Republican governments begin public works programs.

B. Politics in the Postwar South

-Scalawags—small white farmers who joined Republicans, want to

improve position.

-Carpetbaggers—Northern Republicans, moved to the South after

the war to take political advantage.

-Many Southern whites reject higher status, equal right for blacks.

C. Former Slaves Improve Their Lives

-Freedmen found own churches; ministers become community

leaders.

-Republican governments, church groups found schools,

universities (95% of former slaves illiterate).

-Thousands move to reunite with family, find jobs.

D. African Americans in Reconstruction

-Few black officeholders; Hiram Revels in first black senator.

-Slaves promised 40 acres and a mule—for most part former slaves didn’t receive land.

E. Sharecropping and Tenant Farming

-Sharecropping—to farm land owned by another, keep only part of

crops.

-Tenant farmers rent land from owner.

IV. The Collapse of Reconstruction

A. The Collapse of Reconstruction

-Ku Klux Klan—southern vigilante group, wants to:

*Destroy Republicans, aid planter class, repress African Americans.

*To achieve goals, KKK kills thousands of men, women, children.

-Enforcement Acts of 1870, 1871 uphold federal power in South.

-In 1872, Amnesty Act passes, Freedmen’s Bureau expires.

B. Support for Reconstruction Fades

-Republicans splinter; panic of 1873 distracts North’s attention.

-Supreme Court rules against Radical Republican changes.

C. Democrats “Redeem” the South

-1876 Election heated—

rumors of another possible

Civil War.

-Democrats regain control

as 1876 election deal

ends Reconstruction—

Southern Democrats

would accept Hayes as

president if the federal

troops withdraw.

Review Questions

1. How did the Thirteen Amendment affect the lives of slaves?

2. What was Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction?

3. How did sharecropping limit the prospects of African Americans?

4. Why was the Ku Klux Klan opposed to Reconstruction?

5. How did the Panic of 1873 affect Reconstruction?