Period 5: Reconstruction after civil war Flashcards
Emancipation and Reconstruction (how the Civil War affected the U.S. and what conflicts Americans still had to contend with after war’s end.)
The end of the war led to the gradual collapse of slavery, but freed African Americans faced significant challenges such as lack of resources, education, and land ownership. Reconstruction efforts aimed to address these issues but faced opposition from Southern aristocrats and limited federal government action.
Devastation in the South
The South suffered immense devastation during the war, with significant loss of livestock, infrastructure, and resources. Rebuilding efforts were left to the states and individuals, leading to economic struggles and limited support for both white and black Southerners.
Continuing Conflicts
The war did not resolve the regional, political, and economic conflicts that existed before the war. Northern Republicans aimed for economic progress, while Southern aristocrats sought low-cost labor. Freedmen and freedwomen desired independence and equal rights, but traditional beliefs and concepts of limited government hindered national leaders from taking substantial action.
Lincoln’s plan to integrate Southern states back into the Union…..
Lincoln’s plan to integrate Southern states back into the Union was based on the idea of political loyalty and the acceptance of emancipation. He believed that if at least 10% of voters in each state took an oath of allegiance to the Union and accepted the end of slavery, a state government could be reestablished and recognized by the U.S. president. This approach aimed to both end the war quickly and give significance to the Emancipation Proclamation.
How did the Freedmen’s Bureau help African Americans in the South during Reconstruction?
It’s helped freed people set up schools, buy land, and find family members. In addition, the Bureau provided basic needs like food and clothing
who Johnson was. Why was he probably the worst possible person to have as president during Reconstruction?
Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, took over after Lincoln’s assassination. He had different views on Reconstruction, favoring a more lenient approach towards the South. This made him a bad fit for leading the country during that time. Johnson didn’t prioritize civil rights for freed slaves, clashed with Congress, failed to address oppressive laws in the South, and even faced impeachment. Overall, his actions and beliefs made him ill-suited for the challenges of Reconstruction.
Why was Johnson’s Reconstruction plan basically a joke? How did he clash with Congress instead of traitor Southern Confederates?
it was too easy on the Southern Confederates and didn’t focus enough on civil rights for freed slaves.
He pardoned a lot of former Confederate leaders, which let them regain power and avoid accountability.
He also clashed with Congress by vetoing important bills like the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Civil Rights Act.
It’s like he didn’t really care about advancing civil rights and equality. Overall, his plan just didn’t do enough to help the newly slaves.
Who were the “radical Republicans?” What made them so “radical” for their time?
The “radical Republicans” were a group of Republicans who were more extreme in their views and actions compared to the moderate Republicans. What made them “radical” for their time was their strong advocacy for civil rights for Black citizens, especially in the South. They believed in revolutionizing Southern society by implementing military rule, giving African Americans their civil rights, providing federal education, and allowing them to own confiscated lands. Their goal was to ensure equal rights for all Americans, even though their program wasn’t fully realized.
13th Amendment
Banned slavery in the US. it gave freedom to millions of enslaved people that they now had the protection of the Constitution.
Civil Right Acts of 1866
Made African Americans US citizens and protected them from discriminatory laws.
14th Amendment-
made all people born or naturalized in the U.S. citizens and required states to protect their rights. It also disqualified Confederate leaders from holding office and repudiated Confederate government debts.
15th Amendment
prohibited states from denying or limiting a person’s right to vote based on race, color, or previous servitude. It aimed to end racial discrimination in voting laws.
Reconstruction Acts of 1867
were passed by Congress to bring about change in the South. They placed the Southern states under military control and divided them into five districts. To rejoin the Union, the states had to ratify the 14th Amendment and grant voting rights to all adult males, regardless of race. These acts aimed to ensure equal rights and protect the rights of African Americans.
How did African Americans help politically in rebuilding the South?
Many of them held elected offices in the reconstructed state governments. These African American legislators were often educated, property owners, and took moderate positions on most issues. They worked towards equality and represented the interests of their communities. Their presence in positions of power caused resentment among ex-Confederates, but it was a crucial step towards political empowerment for African Americans.
Briefly describe how freed African Americans built Black communities throughout the South?
They sought independence from White control and established hundreds of independent African American churches. Many Black individuals left White-dominated churches to join Negro Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal churches. African American ministers emerged as leaders in the community. Education was also a priority, and African Americans used their limited resources to establish independent schools and colleges like Howard, Atlanta, Fisk, and Morehouse. Some freedpeople chose to migrate to frontier states like Kansas to establish new Black communities, seeking self-sufficiency and a fresh start.
