Reconstruction After Civil War
Reconstruction
Reconstruction was a period of time between 1865 and 1877, which was very complex and controversial. It refers to the actual rebuilding of the south physically, economically and politically from the damage of the Civil War. It was an effort to rebuild southern states and also to restore the Union. During this time period, the federal government passed a series of laws, acts and amendments to bring change. Many of these amendments guaranteed the equal rights to African-Americans. Yet, the question was still that is reconstruction successful? The topic of reconstruction is still very debatable even today. Although there are more facts that would prove reconstruction to be very much successful, there is also evidence that would prove it to be unsuccessful.
The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865. Abraham Lincoln was the president during the time. His plan for reconstruction was called a “10 percent plan” in which all southern states would take an oath of allegiance to the United States and receive a pardon upon the oath. However, Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. After his death, Andrew Johnson, vice president for Lincoln, became the president and the reconstruction plan was now divided between Johnson and the Radical Republicans, the Congress. Johnson and Congress didn’t get along. Johnson’s plan for reconstruction is more moderate because he was a southern democrat and more importantly he was a profound racist. In his plan, southern states had to write a new state constitution, agree to void secession, ratify 13th amendment, elect a new state government and required no role for freed African-Americans in that government (abc-clio). While the Congress plan for reconstructing south was that it should be kept under military authority, give harsh punishment to those who isolate African-Americans and are not allowed back in the Union until lasting reforms were made. The Congress also passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 which divided
Reconstruction was a period of time between 1865 and 1877, which was very complex and controversial. It refers to the actual rebuilding of the south physically, economically and politically from the damage of the Civil War. It was an effort to rebuild southern states and also to restore the Union. During this time period, the federal government passed a series of laws, acts and amendments to bring change. Many of these amendments guaranteed the equal rights to African-Americans. Yet, the question was still that is reconstruction successful? The topic of reconstruction is still very debatable even today. Although there are more facts that would prove reconstruction to be very much successful, there is also evidence that would prove it to be unsuccessful.
The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865. Abraham Lincoln was the president during the time. His plan for reconstruction was called a “10 percent plan” in which all southern states would take an oath of allegiance to the United States and receive a pardon upon the oath. However, Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. After his death, Andrew Johnson, vice president for Lincoln, became the president and the reconstruction plan was now divided between Johnson and the Radical Republicans, the Congress. Johnson and Congress didn’t get along. Johnson’s plan for reconstruction is more moderate because he was a southern democrat and more importantly he was a profound racist. In his plan, southern states had to write a new state constitution, agree to void secession, ratify 13th amendment, elect a new state government and required no role for freed African-Americans in that government (abc-clio). While the Congress plan for reconstructing south was that it should be kept under military authority, give harsh punishment to those who isolate African-Americans and are not allowed back in the Union until lasting reforms were made. The Congress also passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 which divided