Effects of Radical Reconstruction
What were the goals of Radical Reconstruction and how did it lead to changes in ideas of American citizenship?
Reconstruction refers to the period of time post-civil-war when the goal was to bring the South into submission and protect the African American Civil Rights. The federal government set the conditions that would allow for the Rebellious Southern States back into the Union. This was a very complex time for our country and many goals were set in order to bring everyone together to live in unity after a violent period of time. To put this generally, the reconstruction policy that was set was to oppose Lincoln, oppose Johnson, take control of Congress, impeach Johnson and put full support towards Grant. The goals of Radical reconstruction seemed feasible at the time. Reconstruction was “important for reunifying the country and establishing the first constitutional steps towards equality” (Bowles, 2011). In addition to the general previously mentioned goals were that in regards to amendments and other laws. The passing of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth Amendment all were necessary in the transformation process. Just like any transformation, nothing happens overnight. The implementation of the amendments and laws to attempt equality were the right thing to do. Government action was the necessary catalyst for change. In 1862, Lincoln appointed provisional military governors to re-establish governments in the south states recaptured by the Union Army. This brought about The Ten Percent Plan. “The process of reconstructing the Union began in 1863, two years before the Confederacy formally surrendered. After major Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Abraham Lincoln issued the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in which he outlined his Ten-Percent Plan. The plan stipulated that each secessionist state had to redraft its constitution and could reenter the Union only after 10 percent of its eligible voters pledged an oath of
Reconstruction refers to the period of time post-civil-war when the goal was to bring the South into submission and protect the African American Civil Rights. The federal government set the conditions that would allow for the Rebellious Southern States back into the Union. This was a very complex time for our country and many goals were set in order to bring everyone together to live in unity after a violent period of time. To put this generally, the reconstruction policy that was set was to oppose Lincoln, oppose Johnson, take control of Congress, impeach Johnson and put full support towards Grant. The goals of Radical reconstruction seemed feasible at the time. Reconstruction was “important for reunifying the country and establishing the first constitutional steps towards equality” (Bowles, 2011). In addition to the general previously mentioned goals were that in regards to amendments and other laws. The passing of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth Amendment all were necessary in the transformation process. Just like any transformation, nothing happens overnight. The implementation of the amendments and laws to attempt equality were the right thing to do. Government action was the necessary catalyst for change. In 1862, Lincoln appointed provisional military governors to re-establish governments in the south states recaptured by the Union Army. This brought about The Ten Percent Plan. “The process of reconstructing the Union began in 1863, two years before the Confederacy formally surrendered. After major Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Abraham Lincoln issued the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in which he outlined his Ten-Percent Plan. The plan stipulated that each secessionist state had to redraft its constitution and could reenter the Union only after 10 percent of its eligible voters pledged an oath of