Creating your own plan for Reconstruction
It is 1865 and the Civil War has just ended. The South has surrendered to the North and now the country must decide what to do. You are members of Congress and therefore must decide the laws of Reconstruction. Your goal, as a team, is to decide how the country will become united again after such an emotional, long war that tore the country in two. You have two main concerns to consider in your plan of action.
BIG IDEAS:
· The South needs to be brought back into the Union.
· Slavery was made illegal with the 13th Amendment, millions of newly freed slaves will be entering in to society.
As a team, devise a plan for Reconstruction. Your plan must include provisions (laws) regarding the following areas:
1. Responsibility for Reconstruction: Who has the responsibility to create the plan for Reconstruction? The President? Congress? States? WHY??
2. Dealing with Re-Admission of Confederate States: Should they be punished or forgiven for leaving the country? What should they have to do, if anything? How should we make sure they are committed to being a part of the country (and won’t secede again)? Should confederate states be allowed to be part of the federal government of the United States (congress, judicial branch, etc.)? The South has been torn apart physically from the war- should they receive federal aid to rebuild or should the states be responsible for this?
3. Attitudes toward African-Americans: Should programs be created to help the newly freed slaves? If so, what? What kinds of rights should these people have? How will you ensure states are complying (following the laws you create)?
Chart your plan on a large piece of paper or posterboard. You will be presenting your plan to the class. All members must be active in discussions and creation of the final “product” for full credit. Your classmates will also be asking questions about your plan, so be ready to defend your decisions.