1865-1890: The weakness of federal government Flashcards
Why did Johnson seem like the right choice and why was he not?
Supported emancipation of blacks. BUT
1865 - he launched his own reconstruction programme which rad republicans saw as ‘soft’
How did Johnson aim to bring the south back to political mainstream?
He would issue pardons to the southerners if they swore an oath of allegiance - his original plan to prosecute confederate leaders for treason had dropped.
What did the new state gov’s introduce for the blacks?
What did several states refuse to do?
‘Black codes’ - severe restrictions on the legal and economic rights of freedmen.
Refused to ratify the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery.
How did congress respond to the Black Codes?
By passing the civil rights act of 1866, which made it illegal to discriminate against blacks by assigning them an inferior legal and economic status.
How did Johnson further damage relations with Congress?
Alienated potential allies, drove moderate Republicans into allying with the radicals.
Vetoed the renewal of the Freedmen’s Bureau and other acts revolving around this in 1865 and the civil rights act in 1866.
List 3 features of the Black Codes
- Unemployed freedmen could be forced into working for white employers.
- Children of freedmen could be forced into working on plantations on apprenticeships.
- Freedmen could be prevented from receiving an education, buying land or serving on juries.
When did Congress pass the 15th amendment? What did this state?
1869- the right to vote was not to be denied on account of race, colour or previous servitude.
When did congress pass the Civil Rights Act? What did this state? What had happened by this time however?
1875 - Guaranteed equal treatment in issues such as jury service and public transport.
By 1875 there was mounting opposition to such policies, radical reconstruction was losing its momentum.
Describe the powerful opposition in the South in 1876.
Democratic party called themselves the Redeemers - they had won back white democratic control of most of the ex confederate states.
Why could blacks not vote for the republicans?
Violence and intimidation reduced their votes. extreme groups carried out this violence, but respectable white politicians openly encouraged them.
Describe how radical reconstruction lost its momentum.
- Many sympathisers with southern opposition
- Many who were not powerful enough to carry through policies that were seen as unpopular.
- Reluctant to keep on using fed troops to suppress south democratic control.
When was the Amnesty Act? What did it allow?
1872- allowed large numbers of ex-confederates to return to politcal life.
