Reconstruction Era 1865-1877
Andrew Johnson 17th President 1865-1869
• He was made president by an assassin’s • Lacking formal schooling, he did not bullet. learn to read and write until adult life
• Born in dire poverty in North Carolina. • First President to be Impeached.
• Made a living as a tailor in Tennessee
Political Career
Before President Reconstruction
Entered as a Jacksonian Democrat, and Attempted to put the Union back became known as an effective stump together on his own authority in 1865. speaker. His policies eventually set him at odds Became a spokesman for Tennessee’s with Congress and the Republican party. non-slaveholding whites and the most successful politician in the state. He was not harsh to Confederate leaders. He advanced from state legislator to congressman to governor and in 1857 First Reconstruction Act passed over was elected to the U.S. Senate. Johnson's veto.
Was the only senator from a Second Reconstruction Act passed over Confederate state that remained loyal to Johnson's veto. the Union. Third Reconstruction Act passed over Was Lincoln’s running mate because it Johnson's veto. was thought that a pro-administration Democrat, southern Unionist, would strengthen the ticket.
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Johnson’s Impeachment
Two attempts to remove President Andrew Johnson from office.
• First attempt failed
Second attempt was an success because of Johnson violation the Tenure of Office Act. (1867) preventing the president from removing any cabinet member without Congress's permission
preventing the president from removing any cabinet member without Congress's permission
The Southern states were being run by their military administrators, reporting to General Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) appointed by Johnson.
Grant attempted to replace Edwin Stanton (1814-1869) as secretary of war. Stanton, who was favored by Congress, refused to leave his office, physically chaining himself to his desk.
Congress viewed Johnson's move as a violation of the Tenure of Office Act
He was the First U.S. President to be He is consistently ranked being among impeached, and to succeed to presidency the worst U.S. presidents. upon the assassination. Ulysses S. Grant succeeded Johnson.
Reconstruction Amendments 1865-1870
13th Amendment ratified.
Abolished slavery in the United States.
14th Amendment ratified.
Entitles all persons born or naturalized in the United States to citizenship and equal protection under the laws of the United States.
15th Amendment ratified.
Gave the vote to all male citizens regardless of color or previous condition of servitude.
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Wade-Davis Bill
Radical Republicans unhappy with Lincoln's 10% plan
Two Radical Republicans, Senator Benjamin Wade of Ohio and Impossible in an former Confederate Congressman Henry Davis of state unless blacks were given the vote Maryland, sponsor an alternative plan for Reconstruction Radical Republicans wanted black suffrage but the south did not Bill passed by Congress July 1864 Black suffrage not considered in Wade- Details: After at least half the eligible Davis bill voters took the oath of allegiance, they could elect delegates to a form a new Result--Lincoln pocket vetoes state constitution that repealed secession (Congress adjourns before a bill and abolished secession becomes law the president can sign or veto it until Congress reconvenes) The catch--to qualify as a voter or delegate, a southerner would have to When Lincoln assassinated Radical take a second, "ironclad" oath, said had republics believed that Andrew never voluntarily supported the Confederacy . KU KLUX KLAN
The name Ku Klux derived from the Nathan Bedford Forrest was one of the Greek word kuklos, meaning “circle” early leaders
Attire worn: white robes, masks, and In 1868 The Klan turned to violence conical hats (harassing, murder by hanging…)
Founded in Tennessee in 1866 by veterans of the Confederate Army
The Klan’s Targets
Black voters Freedmen’s Bureau Agents
White Republicans Roman Catholics
Union League Leaders
KKK Act of 1871 (Civil Rights Act of 1871)
Enforced in 1871
Outlawed Klan violence
Allowed Federal Troops and courts to arrest and prosecute members of the Klan
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