Reconstruction Under Johnson
Lincoln and Johnson's Reconstruction plans called for what percent of white men to swear alleigance to the Union?
10%
How did Southerners fight against the racial and political progress of Radical Reconstruction?
With terror groups like the KKK and extralegal violence
This term became synonymous with political corruption
Grantism
Who ran against Hayes in 1876?
Samuel Tilden
What did the Freedman's Bureau do?
It provided food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care, legal help etc to newly freed salves to help their transition from slavery to freedom
What was Johnson's rule for wealthy southerners who wanted to be pardoned?
If they held more than $20,000 in property before the war, they had to apply to him personally for a pardon. Other southerners were pardoned just for swearing loyalty to the Union.
How did Congress keep the South in check during Radical Reconstruction uner the Reconstruction Act of 1867?
It divided the South into five military districts led by Union generals and used the military to ensure free elections etc.
Who ran against Grant in 1872?
Horace Greeley, representing both the Liberal Republicans and the Democrats
What is the Solid South?
The South votes solidly democratic from 1877 to 1972
What economic system came about in the south after the end of slavery?
Sharecropping, because many freedman returned to agricultural work and did not have the resources ot buy land of their own (landowners also needed a labor force), so they rented from a white landowner and paid with crops. They accumulated debt borrowing money for basic needs like clothing from the landowners, and were then tied to the land until that debt was paid (which was virtually impossible)
Give two examples of black codes passed by Southern states under the leniency of Johnson's reconstruction plan
Black people could not live in town, come to town without permission, gather, own weapons, participate in business without permission, be "idle" or jobless without consequences.
What allows black men to vote for the first time?
The Reconstruction Act of 1867
Grant was president when what constitutional amendment was passed?
15th amendment
What year did the final southern states return to Democratic control?
1877
How did Congress try to remove Johnson during Radical Reconstruction
Why did congress take control of Reconstruction from Johnson?
The election of so many former confederates to Congress in 1864/65. Congress refused to let those who had just rebelled against the Union to immediately resume power in the South, so they refused to seat the delegates. Congress also opposed the Black Codes
What did the Radical Republicans do to help the South rebuild physically?
built public schools, transportation systems like railroads, and tried to build infrastructure for black people with organizations like the Freedman's Bureau
What was the Whiskey Ring scandal?
Whiskey distillers and federal tax collectors stole $3 million dollars of tax revenue from the government. 300 men were arrested in 1875 as a result and 110 indicted. Grant's private secretary, Orville Babcock, was a part of the scandal, and this kept Grant from launching a federal investigation
What factors led to the North growing tired of Reconstruction and no longer pursuing it?
Distractions of political scandals (Grantism), extreme violence (KKK etc), and economic difficultues (Panic of 1873), which allowed the General Amnesty Act to be pushed through Congress by those that just wanted Reconstruction to be over.
Who was the first black senator?
Hiram Revels
Johnson required the southern states to make new constitutions. What were the rules for these constitutions?
They had to ratify the 13th amendment, revoke secession, and refuse to pay confederate war debts
What are two provisions of the 14th amendment?
1. Freedmen get full citizenship and legal protection
2. Congressional representation will be decided by the whole population (no more 3/5 compromise)
3. Former confederates could not vote or hold office unless pardoned by Congress
4. No Confederate war debts would be paid or former slaveowners compensated
What was the controversy over "greenbacks" during Grant's presidency?
America experienced a depression in 1873, and some people wanted to put more "greenbacks" (paper money) into circulation to try and give people more money to recover the economy. Greenbacks were not on the gold standard, so their value was questionable. Some argued this would cause inflation, so Congress restricts how many are in circulation, but this ends up making the depression worse.
What two things led directly to Southern democrats "redeeming" the South and taking back political offices?
1. The General Amnesty Act, which pardoned all remaining former Confederates, thereby increasing the population of Democratic voters.
2. Intimidation and violence against black people and Republicans in the South kept them from voting or keeping their positions
So basically, an increase in Democratic voters and a sharp decrease in Republican voters
How did election fraud impact the election of 1876?
Three states had conflicting results, so no one had the majority of electoral votes. So Congress created a commission of 15 men, 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats. Republicans gave the votes to Hayes, and in return he removed the rest of the troops from the South (Comp of 1877), essentially leaving the South to its own devices.