Thaddeus Stevens was not in favor of an easy re-entry into the Union for former Confederate states. He was in favor of punitive action against the South because he believed it was necessary to ensure justice and protect the rights of freed slaves. Stevens also thought that without consequences, the former Confederate states might revert to their old ways and continue to oppress the newly freed African Americans. Without violence involving punishment principles, two positions have been suggested: the Southern states should be treated as they never left because the Constitution doesn’t allow secession, and the Southern states, by seceding from the Union, had positioned themselves as enemies of the
Thaddeus Stevens was not in favor of an easy re-entry into the Union for former Confederate states. He was in favor of punitive action against the South because he believed it was necessary to ensure justice and protect the rights of freed slaves. Stevens also thought that without consequences, the former Confederate states might revert to their old ways and continue to oppress the newly freed African Americans. Without violence involving punishment principles, two positions have been suggested: the Southern states should be treated as they never left because the Constitution doesn’t allow secession, and the Southern states, by seceding from the Union, had positioned themselves as enemies of the