Issues During Reconstruction
Reconstruction refers to the period, between 1865 and 1877, of rebuilding the United States both physically and mentally. It witnessed America’s first experiment in interracial democracy, of which the south did not like. The Reconstruction period was based around many issues of which the most important was what to do with the now freed slaves. The issues of readmitting the states of the Confederacy and what to do with Confederate leaders were just a couple of the many other issues faced during Reconstruction. It was a period of great hardship, both mentally and physically, as the South was being forced to accept new social standards.
Less than a year before Lincoln did his famous speech, the Emancipation Proclamation, he announced the first …show more content…
During the Congressional Election of 1866, Radical Republicans came to power. They wanted to punish the South, and prevent the ruling class from continuing in power. The Radical Republicans then passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867. This act removed the right to vote and seek office by “leading rebels.” This cleared the way for the Southern Unionist, southerners who supported the Union during the war, to become the new leaders. The act also divided the South into five military districts under commanders directed to protect black property and citizens. It also outlined how the new governments would be designed. Under this act, southern states were then required to ratify the 14th Amendment to be readmitted to the …show more content…
Grant in 1871 took aim at the terror organizations, white supremecy gradually reasserted its hold on the South. Support for Reconstruction waned, and racism was still a potent force in both the South and the North. Republicans were also becoming more conservative and less egalitarian as the decade continued. After ten years of holding out against the terror organizations, Congress and Radical Republicans were growing weary of federal involvement in the South. The withdrawal of federal troops in 1877 brought renewed attempts to strip African Americans of their newly acquired rights. For the first time since the Civil War, the Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives. With this Democratic win, reconstruction was brought to an end and white supremacy was restored throughout the
Less than a year before Lincoln did his famous speech, the Emancipation Proclamation, he announced the first …show more content…
During the Congressional Election of 1866, Radical Republicans came to power. They wanted to punish the South, and prevent the ruling class from continuing in power. The Radical Republicans then passed the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867. This act removed the right to vote and seek office by “leading rebels.” This cleared the way for the Southern Unionist, southerners who supported the Union during the war, to become the new leaders. The act also divided the South into five military districts under commanders directed to protect black property and citizens. It also outlined how the new governments would be designed. Under this act, southern states were then required to ratify the 14th Amendment to be readmitted to the …show more content…
Grant in 1871 took aim at the terror organizations, white supremecy gradually reasserted its hold on the South. Support for Reconstruction waned, and racism was still a potent force in both the South and the North. Republicans were also becoming more conservative and less egalitarian as the decade continued. After ten years of holding out against the terror organizations, Congress and Radical Republicans were growing weary of federal involvement in the South. The withdrawal of federal troops in 1877 brought renewed attempts to strip African Americans of their newly acquired rights. For the first time since the Civil War, the Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives. With this Democratic win, reconstruction was brought to an end and white supremacy was restored throughout the