Thaddeus Stevens: The Radical Republican Activist

Who was Thaddeus Stevens? Mr. Stevens was an important member of the House of Representatives while Abraham Lincoln held office. Stevens was also one of the key leaders of the Radical Republican Movement of the 1860’s (“Thaddeus Stevens”). Thaddeus was against the South and the thought of inequality, mainly towards slaves and poor whites (Engdahl). He believed the suffrage of blacks was wrong and the South should be punished for causing devastation during the Civil War. In 1867, Thaddeus Stevens presented the “Speech in Favor of Black Suffrage” to the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He tried to to convince the house to punish the South by making them “pay” for the damages incurred from the civil war (Stevens).
In 1867, the Military
Reconstruction Act was passed in partial by Thaddeus Stevens demands to representatives that the South had to be punished (“Military Reconstruction”). The same year the act was passed, the South was divided into five military districts. Under military control, the South was required to have new elections. The new public officials had to pledge their loyalty to the Union, unfortunately most of the new officials were poor whites or former slaves (“Military Reconstruction”). In Mr. Stevens speech to the House of Representatives, he used imagery, pathos and motivation techniques to help persuade them. Thaddeus Stevens was successful in doing so.
Historical Background
Thaddeus Stevens was known for being a strong and powerful leader in the 1860’s during the Radical Republican movement in the 1860’s (“Military Reconstruction”). Mr. Stevens was one of the most powerful leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives, which led to the helping of the draft for the 14th amendment. Thaddeus grew up without his father, Joshua, a unsuccessful farmer, from a young age; which led to him having a difficult time growing up, later becoming poor (“Thaddeus Stevens Biography”). Stevens went to Peacham Academy, later attending the University of Vermont, ultimately graduating from Dartmouth College in 1814.
Thaddeus Stevens became apart of the political spectrum in 1833, becoming apart of the state legislature for eight years.
Early in his career he gained a hatred for bondage and inequality (Engdahl). Soon he spoke out against slavery and supported ideas like public schools and even the bank. In 1849, he was elected to the House of Representatives, and later became apart of the new Republican Party. Mr. Stevens believed in civil rights and helped many slaves on the Underground Railroad escape to Canada. Soon, the abolishment of slavery became Stevens main focus in the political sphere. Thaddeus Stevens had a large role in the reconstruction of the South, later serving on the joint committee on reconstruction, which drafted the Reconstruction Act of 1867 (“Thaddeus Stevens Biography”). Stevens views on slavery and reconstruction brought about feuding with President Andrew Johnson (Rowe).
The 14th Amendment was drafted and didn’t allow states governments to deny citizens life, liberty and property in 1866 (“Thaddeus Stevens Biography”). This amendment is exactly what Thaddeus Stevens always believed in; the equality of all citizens. Stevens entire life was always struggles and debates but he became good at what he did throughout his life by becoming a lawyer and later being being a successful
politician.

Analysis
Throughout his speech, Stevens utilizes pathos, to appeal to the emotions to persuade the House of Representatives. What happened in the South from the cause of the civil war was wrong and they deserved to be punished for the actions that took place. Thaddeus was successful in his efforts and in conclusion this helps pass the Military Reconstruction Act in 1867. Using pathos when presenting his speech, and mentioning the rights of men should be equal throughout also targeted the emotions of the Representatives. Appealing to the senses and emotions of the House of Representatives was very smart which ultimately helped the Military Reconstruction Act be passed. This bill being passed made the South be divided into five districts that were control by the military and soon leading to new leaders being elected (study.com).
Thaddeus Stevens also uses other literary devices like optimistic diction; Stevens knew he had the support of the North on the issue of equality and slavery. Stevens was confident that his speech to the House of Representatives would progress the abolishment of slavery and make it happen sooner than the country might’ve thought. Thaddeus also was very confident because, he was a very strong leader in the Radical Republican Movement, which made him feel that he had plenty of support behind him.
Last, Stevens even uses imagery as one of his techniques to persuade the House of Representatives to discipline the South for the actions that took place during war. Stevens states “Without it all are sure to be ruled by traitors; and loyal men, black and white, will be oppressed, exiled, or murdered”. He also says “In the States they form the great mass of loyal men”, referring to the blacks and is saying that the blacks should have equal rights and should be able to vote because they're a great majority of the population (Stevens). Using imagery in his speech to convince the Representatives that slavery and inequality is wrong, enhancing Stevens speech because incorporating imagery into the statements, puts a picture into the mind of the Representatives showing them that what the South in doing has no good reasoning.
Results of Document
The result of Thaddeus Stevens speech to the House of Representatives is that a year before he died, the Military Reconstruction Act was passed which in his sense, he was successful in his efforts (“Military reconstruction”). Before his death the country went into the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery which was one of Stevens biggest issues. The suffrage of blacks and inequality to Stevens was unconstitutional and was not right. Thaddeus Stevens being apart of the Radical Republicans Movement gave him great support with his efforts of black suffrage because the radicals believed blacks had the same rights as the whites and that all should be created equal (“Thaddeus Stevens”). After the war, and the success of the North, millions of slaves were released and gained their rights to property and to vote among others. Thaddeus Stevens after the war, he was happy and proud of his efforts to get the blacks and other minorities the rights they deserved.
Thaddeus Stevens had a very successful life even going through hardships during his childhood. Stevens grew up becoming a very successful man in the political world and most importantly having a major role in the efforts of giving minorities their rights and privileges. Stevens helped with reconstructing the South and his speech to the House of Representatives on January 3, 1867 in a way paved the road for the future Civil War and now for what the world has become today with everyone being treated equal and having their rights.