Reconstruction and Presidential Plans

Compare Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction plans, understand key amendments, and learn about Black Codes.

Choose the correct word for each blank. The first Reconstruction phase was called Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866). During this plan, President Andrew Johnson, a native of Tennessee who remained loyal to the Union, was extremely lenient with the Southern states. His plan, based on that of Abraham Lincoln who had been assassinated in April of 1865, allowed the South readmission into the Union if 10% of the population swore an oath of allegiance to the United States. They also were required to ratify the 13th amendment, which officially ended slavery in the United States. 2 Trouble began brewing again between the Southern states and the Republican controlled Congress when several former Confederate leaders were elected back into the state and national governments. In Georgia, former Confederate States of American (CSA) Vice President Alexander Stephens, and CSA Senator Hershel Johnson, were elected Georgia’s two U.S. Senators. Northern Senators, especially those called Radical Republicans, who favored harsher punishments for the South, were aghast at having these high-ranking CSA officials in Congress and refused to seat them. Additionally, there began to be calls against President Johnson for abuse of power and proceedings for his impeachment started to take place. 3 Finally, the Radical Republicans were appalled at the South’s treatment of the freedmen under laws that were known as Black Codes. Under these laws, blacks were not allowed to vote, testify against whites in court, and could not serve as jurors. With the South’s treatment of Blacks, the Congress introduced the 14th amendment which made African-Americans citizens of the United States and required that they were given the same rights as all U.S. citizens. 4 The next plan was called Congressional Reconstruction (1866- 1867). Georgia, along with the other Southern states, refused to ratify the 14th amendment. With this action, Georgia and the rest of the South was placed under the authority of Congress. As a result, Southern states were required to pass this amendment in order to be readmitted into the Union. With the South continuing to refuse to pass this amendment, along with the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, Congress passed the Reconstruction Act of 1867. This act created five military districts in the South, with Georgia, Alabama, and Florida making up the third district. 5 Under Military Reconstruction General John Pope served as the third district’s first military governor. During this period, Georgia held another constitutional convention, this time in Atlanta. Atlanta was chosen because it was more accepting of the state’s Republican delegates along with the 37 African American delegates that had been elected to serve in the convention. During this convention, Georgia created a new constitution that included a provision for Black voting, public schools, and moving the capital to Atlanta. 6 After this convention, Republican Rufus Bullock was elected Governor and the Republican-controlled General Assembly began its session. However, the military continued to be a presence in the state due to the continued actions of the Ku Klux Klan and Georgia’s refusal to pass the 15th amendment which gave African-American men the right to vote. Georgia was finally readmitted into the Union in 1870 when reinstated Republican and black legislators voted for the passage of the 15th amendment. However, by 1872 southern Democrats called the redeemers were voted back into office and took control of the Governorship and General Assembly Reconstruction Vocabulary Match the term with the definition 13th Amendment ended slavery in the United States 14th Amendment gave African-Americans or Blacks United States citizenship. 15th Amendment (1870) - gave African-American or Black men the right to vote. Black Codes laws created by Southern legislatures during Reconstruction that took away the civil rights of freedmen. Congressional Reconstruction (1866-1867) - Reconstruction period where Congress took responsibility for bringing the South back into the Union. Military Reconstruction (1867-1877) - Reconstruction period where the military took responsibly for bringing the South back into the Union; Ratify to pass Repeal to revoke or withdraw formally or officially; usually refers to a law Reconstruction Time period after the civil war that was designed to rebuild and reconnect the North and the South. Sort the Plans Lincoln's Plan Ratify 13th amendment 10% of voters had to pledge allegiance to the US constitution Wanted the Union back together as quickly as possible Johnson's Plan Impeached for allowing former CSA officials back in to congress. Ratify 13th amendment like Lincoln's plan Congressional Plan Wanted harsher punishment for south Radical Republicans Military Occupation Get rid of Black Codes