AnalyzingEvidence,InterpretingDocuments,DefendinganArgument…Reconstruction

Fromtheperiod5RevisedFramework:

ANALYZEEVIDENCE…

1.Explaintherelevanceoftheauthor’spointofview,author’spurpose,audience,formatormedium,and/orhistoricalcontextaswellastheinteractionamongthesefeatures,todemonstrate understandingofthesignificanceofaprimarysource.

2.Evaluatetheusefulness,reliability,and/orlimitationsofaprimarysourceinansweringparticularhistoricalquestions.

INTERPRET DOCUMENTS…

1.Analyzeahistorian’sargument,explainhowtheargumenthasbeensupportedthroughtheanalysisofrelevanthistoricalevidence,andevaluatetheargument’seffectiveness.

2.Analyze diverse historicalinterpretations.

CREATEANDDEFENDANARGUMENT…

4. Relatediversehistoricalevidenceinacohesivewaytoillustratecontradiction,corroboration,qualification,andothertypesofhistoricalrelationshipsindevelopinganargument.

FromthePeriod5ContentOutline:

KeyConcept5.3:TheUnionvictoryintheCivilWarandthecontestedreconstructionoftheSouthsettledtheissuesofslaveryandsecession,butleftunresolvedmanyquestionsaboutthepowerof thefederalgovernmentandcitizenshiprights.

II.ReconstructionandtheCivilWarendedslavery,alteredrelationshipsbetweenthestatesandthefederalgovernment,andledtodebatesovernewdefinitionsofcitizenship,particularly regardingtherightsofAfricanAmericans,women,andotherminorities.

A)The13thAmendmentabolishedslavery,whilethe14thand15thamendmentsgrantedAfricanAmericanscitizenship,equalprotectionunderthelaws,andvotingrights.

B)Thewomen’srightsmovementwasbothemboldenedanddividedoverthe14thand15thamendmentstotheConstitution.

C)EffortsbyradicalandmoderateRepublicanstochangethebalanceofpowerbetweenCongressandthepresidencyandtoreorderracerelationsinthedefeatedSouthyieldedsomeshort- termsuccesses.Reconstructionopeneduppoliticalopportunitiesandotherleadershiprolestoformerslaves,butitultimatelyfailed,duebothtodeterminedSouthernresistanceandthe North’s waningresolve.

D)Southernplantationownerscontinuedtoownthemajorityoftheregion’slandevenafterReconstruction.Formerslavessoughtlandownershipbutgenerallyfellshortofself-sufficiency, asanexploitativeandsoil-intensivesharecroppingsystemlimitedblacks’andpoorwhites’accesstolandintheSouth.

E)Segregation,violence,SupremeCourtdecisions,andlocalpoliticaltacticsprogressivelystrippedawayAfricanAmericanrights,butthe14thand15thamendmentseventuallybecamethe basisforcourtdecisionsupholdingcivilrightsinthe20thcentury.

Thematic LearningObjectives:

NAT-2.0:ExplainhowinterpretationsoftheConstitutionanddebatesoverrights,liberties,anddefinitionsofcitizenshiphaveaffectedAmericanvalues,politics,andsociety.

POL-3.0:Explainhowdifferentbeliefsaboutthefederalgovernment’sroleinU.S.socialandeconomiclifehaveaffectedpoliticaldebatesandpolicies.

WXT-1.0:ExplainhowdifferentlaborsystemsdevelopedinNorthAmericaandtheUnitedStates,andexplaintheireffectsonworkers’livesandU.S.society.

CUL-3.0:Explainhowideasaboutwomen’srightsandgenderroleshaveaffectedsocietyandpolitics.

Analyzing Evidence, Interpreting Documents, DefendinganArgument…Reconstruction

Directions:

1.Reviewnotesprovided,highlightcues.Keepinmindthekeyconceptsandobjectives outlinedonpage1whenhighlightingcues!

2.Analyzethepoliticalcartoon.

3.Addressthepromptbywritingacompletethesisusingthethesisformula.

RECONSTRUCTIONreview

Whenwasit?

1865….EndoftheCivilWar;SurrenderatAppomattoxCourthouse (althoughLincoln’s10%planwentintoeffectbeforetheendofthewar) To1877…ElectionofRutherfordB.Hayes…the“Compromiseof1877”

The Challenges of Reconstruction:

1.Howtoputthepiecesbacktogether…restoreorreconstructtheUnion?

2.Howtoreplaceslavelabor?

3.Howtodefinethestatusofformerslaves?

ThePlans

1.PresidentLincoln’s10%Plan

2.President Johnson’s Plan

3.Radical Republicans’ CongressionalPlan

… Reconstruction Review

Lincoln’s 10% Plan; Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction1863 / Johnson’s Plan; Amnesty Proclamation1865 / Congressional Plan; Wade-Davis Bill,1864;
RadicalRepublicans’Plan1865
RationaleforPresidenthavingpowertoregulate reconstruction:
states had just been in military rebellion…not actual secession; Union was “Constitutionallyindestructible.”
Rationale:
RestorenotReconstruct…re-uniteandmoveforward asquicklyaspossible
Howdiditwork?
statescouldorganizenewgovernmentsafter10%of 1860 voters took loyalty oath and accepted emancipation; each state would hold constitutional convention,electnewrepstoCongress;general amnesty to all except high ranking Confederate officers
Provisionsforfreedslaves:
None;Lincolnfeltsstateswouldhavetoworkout transitionsontheirownratherthanhavingthefederal government dictate… However he worked with CongressonthecreationoftheBureauofRefugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen’s Bureau) which did address needs (Lincoln compromising withCongress)
Results:
3statesre-join(LouisianaandArkansasrecognizedin 1864, Tennessee in 1865); Freemen’s Bureau established(assistedfreedslavesingettingclothing, provisions,andfueltorelieve“destituteandsuffering refugees and freemen and their wives and children.” Schoolswerebuilt,teachershired,courtssetupto allow colored people to file suit against whites); CongresspassedWade-DavisBilltoincreaseoathto 50%…white,malecitizenstakeironcladoath(that theynevervoluntarilyborearmsagainsttheUnion), onlythosetakingironcladoathcouldvoteorvotein constitutionalconvention,newstateconstitutionsmust abolishslaverybutLincolnpocket-vetoed…whichled totheWade-Davis“Manifesto”(Congressrefusingto seatnewdelegatesfromArkansas,Louisiana,and Tenn.) / Rationale for President having power to regulate reconstruction:
stateswereinrebellion…Congresshadnoauthoritytoact,becausethey were conqueredlands
Rationale:
Restore not Reconstruct…continue Lincoln’s plan and re-unite country ASAP…withalittleConfederategravellingthrowninforfun(heresented ConfederateswantedtoshiftpowerfromPlanterelitetosmallfarmers)
Howdiditwork?
Fully implemented while Congress out of session; Appointed provisional governorforeachstate(exceptLA,AR,TN),instructedgovernorstohold constitutionalconvention,mustrevokeordinancesofsecession,must repudiatetheConfederatedebt(meantNorthwouldnotpaySoutherndebt), mustratifythe13thamendment,amnestyandpardonwithpropertyrestored toalmostallsouthernerswhotookloyaltyoath(exceptleadersandwealthy planters,buttheycouldaskforpardon…gravel)
Provisionsforfreedslaves:
None;didn’tsupportrightsforblacks,saying,“Thisisacountryforwhitemen, andbyGod,aslongasIamPresidentitshallbeagovernmentforwhite men.”(JohnsonunwillingtocompromisewithCongresslikeLincolndid)
Results:
AllstatesbackinbyDecember,13thratified;atfirstRadicalssupporteditbut changedtheirmindsaftertheyrealizedtherebelswerereturningtopower andrestoringtheirwayoflifebeforethewar….Congressrefusedtoseatnew delegates; Black Codes passed, (South Carolina’s Edmund Rhett, “the generalinterestbothofthewhitemanandofthenegroesrequiresthathe shouldbekeptasneartotheconditionofslaveryaspossible,andasfarfrom theconditionofthewhitemanasispracticable.”)Codesvariedstatetostate, butallweredesignedtodisenfranchise(examples:-laborcontractsnecessary for blacks to leave the Plantation, could be charged with vagrancy; punishment included involuntary servitude (slavery) which was still legal in spite of 13th amendment, laws prevented land ownership, serving on juries, and inter-racial marriage); Joint Committee of Fifteen on Reconstruction to investigate(dominatedbyRadicals)held-publichearingsrevealingviolence againstfreedslaves;riotinMemphis(mobledbypoliceandfiremen…5black women raped, 48 killed (2 whites), hundreds of homes, churches, and schoolsburnt);riotinNewOrleans(mobledbypolicekilled34blacksand3 whiteradicalsafterthegovernortriedtoremoveConfederatesfromofficeand enfranchiseblacks) / RationaleforCongresshavingpowertoregulatereconstruction:
Stateshadbrokenconstitutionaltiesandwere“conqueredprovinces”subjectto theirauthority.
Rationale:
ReconstructnotRestore(StevenssaidtheNorthmust“revolutionizeSouthern institutions,habits,andmanners…orallourbloodandtreasurehavebeenspentin vain.”Theywantedtoconfiscatesouthernplantationsandredistributethelandto freedslavesandwhitesouthernerswhohadbeenloyaltotheUnion.)
Howdiditwork?
Wade-DavisBill(seecolumn#1)
January 1866- Freedmen’s Bureau extended and enlarged – Johnson vetoed… Congress then passed another extension… vetoed again…but Congress successfullyoverrodeveto(followingnewsofriots);February1866,CivilRightsBill toextendfederalcourtstoblacks,JohnsonvetoedbutCongressoverrodeveto
…Byoverridingtwovetoes…CongresstookcontrolofReconstructionin1866;14th Amendment and 15th Amendment (14th -protected blacks by defining citizenship, “allpersonsbornornaturalizedintheUnitedStates”were“citizens”andwere guaranteed“equalprotection”and“dueprocess”underthelaw;triedtoforce southerners to treat blacks fairly; asserted federal power; weakened states rights/power;didn’tenfranchiseblacks--wasacompromisebetweenradicalsand moderates,alsohadprovisioninitsoifanystatekeepingmenfromvotingwould havetheirrepresentationreduced(whitesouthfacedwithlosingpower…orgiving blacksthevotewhichwouldgivepowertoRepublicans…eitherwaytheylost), had provision preventing Confederate leaders from running for office… but Congresscouldmakeexceptions(again…compromising)
Provisionsforfreedslaves:
Johnsonsaidblacksdidn’tneedfederalprotection…Radicalsbelievedotherwise… FirstReconstructionActguaranteedblackmalesuffrage,triedtoconfiscatelands and give every black , adult male 40 acres and force rebels to pay for black schools; 1866 Homestead Act provided cheap lands to freemen and loyal whites (butfewcouldaffordit);extendedFreedmen’sBureau
Results:
Fall1866,14thAmendmentwascampaignissueinCongressionalelections; Johnsondenouncedthemandurgedsouthernstatesnottoratify(3/4states neededtoratifyamendment)“swingaroundthecircle”campaigntourtospeak out against it, tried to turn public opinion against radical republicans, backfired…Republicanswon3-1majority…thisbeginsRadicalReconstruction… gotonextpage.

… Reconstruction ReviewContinued

March 2, 1867 Congress moves on reconstruction… RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION

TheFirstReconstructionAct

1.Declared“nolegalgovernment”existedinthesouth2.Dividedinto5militarydistricts3.EachundercommandofUniongeneral

4.Newconstitutionalconventionwithallmalecitizenseligibletovote5.Newconstitutionshadtogiveblackmensuffrage6. Had to ratify14th amendment

1868:NC,SC,FL,AL,LA,ARmetrequirements

Triedtogoevenfurtheranddisenfranchiseex-Confederateleadersandpayforblack schools,somewantedtoredistributelandfromConfederateleaderstofreedslaves (ThaddeusStevenswantedtoconfiscatemillionsofacresfromthe“chiefrebels”and give40acrestoeveryadultmalefreeman)“Howcanrepublicaninstitutions,free schools,freechurches,freesocialintercourseexist”ina“community”ofwealthy plantersand“serfs?”–T.Stevensregardingplan

DYK…duringWilliamT.Sherman’sMarchtotheSeahegaveblacks(they werefollowing)landandloanedthemarmymules…SeaIslandsoffGeorgia coast…40,000blacksweresettledon“Sherman’sland”

Southern Homestead Act, 1866

-setaside44millionacresoffederallandforfreedmenandloyalwhites… butfewcouldafforditorhadanytoolstoworkland…Whydiditfail?They couldguaranteerights…butcouldn’tseizepropertyandgiveitawayfor free…theystillbelievedinruggedindividualism…wantedtoprovide opportunity, nothandouts

March1867

-TheTenureofOfficeAct(requiredpresidenttoseekSenateapproval beforeremovinganyofficeholderwhohadbeenpreviouslyapprovedby Senate)toprotectEdwinM.Stanton,SecretaryofWar,whocooperated withradicals

-Johnson followed the law… Congress refused… Johnson physically removedhimandreplacedhimwithGrant…thentheHouseimpeached him…butSenatefellonevoteshyofremovinghimfromoffice

Mapcapturedfromhumbolt.edu.ImageofPresidentGrant,publicdomain.

… Reconstruction ReviewContinued

15thAmendment,ratifiedMarch1870

-forbadestatestodenyrighttovotebasedon“race,color,orpreviousconditionofservitude”

-gaveCongresspowertoenforce

-notuniversalmanhoodsuffrage(stillwantedexConfederatestobebannedfromvoting)

-didn’t prevent poll taxes and other controlling methods (Radicals wanted, moderates preventedbecausetheywantedtokeeprestrictionsinthenorthagainstimmigrants…literacy testsinMAandCN…inCaliforniatheyhadthemtokeepChinesefromvoting)

ParadesinDCofblacksandwhitesholdingsigns“TheNation’s SecondBirth”and“15thAmendment:UncleSam’sbleachingpowder”

1968–U.S.GrantelectedPresident

GrantsupportedRadicalReconstruction;southern,blackvoteenabledhimtowinelection

CongressandGrantrespondedtoKKK…KuKluxKlanAct1871

Authorizedpresidenttousefederalprosecutionstostopconspiracies

BrokeupKlanby1872

Unfortunately,corruptioninGrant’sadministrationalongwitheconomicandsocialforces preventedtheRadicalsfromcontinuing…andbytheendofGrant’ssecondterm…theattempt to“Reconstruct”wasover…forawhile.

Defending an Argument …Reconstruction

Prompt:TowhatextentdidRadicalReconstructionmaintaincontinuityandfosterchangeinAmericanvalues,politics,andsociety?

Fromthe2015RevisedFramework:

ANALYZEPATTERNSOFCONTINUTYANDCHANGEOVERTIME…

1.Identifypatternsofcontinuityandchangeovertimeandexplainthesignificanceofsuchpatterns.

2.Explainhowpatternsofcontinuityandchangeovertimerelatetolargerhistoricalprocessesorthemes.

Step #1 Read the question or promptcarefully:
Readthequestionthreetimesandbeabletoparaphrasethequestionandknowtheessentialtaskdemandedbyit.Answeringthequestionwillbethecentralfocusofyouressay,andyouwanttobesuretoATFP! Whatisthepurposeofthisessay?Whatskillisbeingtested?Doyouunderstandhowtousethisskill?
Step #2 Brainstorm on paper everything that comes to mind regarding the topic at hand. Aim for at least 5 specific things. (at least one per ABC, one fortheintro,andonefortheconclusion)Whatdoyouknowaboutthetopic?Whatistheera/context?Putthisdownonpapertogetyourbraingeneratingideasandcontentbefore writingtheessay.Onceyouhaveampleinformation,categorizebytheme.(ABC)Usethereviewnotesifneeded.
Step #3 Clarify your thesis/view and identify an opposing view before writing your thesis… then… write your introductory paragraph usingthe formula below (or another version of the formula using the samevariables.)
LC. X. However A and B. Therefore,Y.
LC=localcontextofmaintopicY=yourassertionstatement
X=continuityorchange,yourcounter-argument–linkedtoathemeororganizationalcategorywhichwillalsobetopicoffirstbodyparagraph
A,B=continuityorchangeduringthespecifiedtimeperiodlinkedtoyourY,brokeninto2organizationalcategories(topicsofyour2ndand3rdbodyparagraphs)

InterpretingaDocumentDefendinganArgument…Reconstruction

Considerthesamepromptwhenanalyzingthepoliticalcartoon:

TowhatextentdidRadicalReconstructionmaintaincontinuityandfosterchangeinAmericanvalues,politics,andsociety?

Source:AThomasNastcartoon,Harper’sWeekly.Here,ColumbiaisreplacingthesecededstatesintheUnion.She haslaiddownherswordandshieldandnowproclaims''Letushavepeace.''Sheadvancesunderthebanner''Equal Rights,WithMaliceTowardsNoneAndCharityToAll.''*

*From President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, 1865

Withmalicetowardnone,withcharityforall,withfirmnessintherightasGodgivesustoseetheright,letusstriveontofinishthe workwearein,tobindupthenation'swounds,tocareforhimwhoshallhavebornethebattleandforhiswidowandhisorphan, todoallwhichmayachieveandcherishajustandlastingpeaceamongourselvesandwithallnations.

Incompletesentences,contextualizethecartoon.RemembertoincludeHistoricalContextandoneofthe following:IntendedAudience,Purpose,orAuthor’sPointofView.Besureyouranalysisservestosupport yourthesis–notonlyanalyzingthedocument.
Food For Thought: In what ways and to what extent was the impeachment of President Johnson by the House of Representatives in 1868 similar to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974 and the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in1998?

ArticlesofImpeachmentAgainstPresidentJohnson,1868

The full House of Representatives passed (eleven articles of impeachment. In the Senate, the vote fell short of the 2/3 majority that was required to convict Johnson and remove him from office.)…RESOLVED,ThatAndrewJohnson,PresidentoftheUnitedStates....

ArticleOne:...didunconstitutionally[withouttheadviceandconsentoftheSenate,asrequiredinthe1867TenureofOfficeAct]issueanorderremovingSecretaryEdwinM.Stanton from his position as the head of the Department of War. .. .

ArticleFour:...didunlawfullyattempttointimidatetheSecretaryfortheDepartmentofWar[tocausehisresignationfromthepost]....

Articles Five, Six and Seven: . . . did unlawfully conspire with another government official to prevent the execution of the Tenure of Office Act and An Act to Define and Punish Certain Conspirators. . . .Article Ten: . . . did, designing and intending to set aside the rightful authorities of Congress, attempt to bring into ridicule, disgrace, hatred, and contempt the United StatesCongress...bysayingthingssuchas..."WehaveseenaCongressinaminorityassumetoexercisepowerwhich,ifallowedtobeconsummated,wouldresultindespotismormonarchy itself. . . . "Article Eleven: . . . did, in disregard to the Constitution, declare in a public speech that the Thirty-Ninth Congress of the United States was not a valid Congress for all of the peopleintheUnitedStates...therebydenyingitspower....

ArticlesofImpeachmentagainstPresidentNixon,1974

These articles were passed by the House Judiciary Committee but never voted upon by the full House because President Nixon resigned before a vote could occur…RESOLVED, That RichardM.Nixon,PresidentoftheUnitedStates,isimpeachedforhighcrimesandmisdemeanors....

ArticleOne:[for]makingfalseormisleadingstatementtodelay,coverup,orconcealevidencerelatingtotheWatergatebreak-insby:

-makingfalseandmisleadingstatementstothegovernmentandthepeople-withholdinginformation

-allowing/encouragingwitnessestogivefalseormisleadingstatements-attemptingtointerferewithFBIandotherinvestigationsintothebreak-ins

-allowing secret payments toinfluencewitnesses-attempting to misuse theCIA

-insinuatingthatpeoplewhorefusetotestifyagainsthimorwhogivefalsetestimonywillreceivefavors

-leakinginformationabouttheinvestigationtohelptheaccused

ArticleTwo:...[forhaving] engagedinconductviolatingtheconstitutionalrightsofcitizens...andimpairingthedueandproperadministrationofjustice...by:

-usingconfidentialtaxreturninformationtoinitiatetaxauditsinadiscriminatorymanner

-misusingtheFBI,SecretService,andothergovernmentemployeesbyallowingtheirinformationtobeusedforpurposesotherthannationalsecurityortheenforcementoflaws

-allowing a secret investigative unit withinhisoffice-usingcampaigncontributionsandtheCIAinanattempttoswaythefairtrialprocess

-has failed in faithfully executing thelaw

-knowinglymisusingtheexecutivepowerbyinterferingwithagencieswithintheexecutivebranch

ArticleThree:...haswillfullydisobeyedthesubpoenasofandfailedwithoutlawfulcauseorexcusetoproducepapersandinformationfortheHouseJudiciaryCommittee... assumingtohimselfthefunctionsandjudgmentsgiventotheHouseofRepresentativesbytheConstitution.

ArticlesofImpeachmentagainstPresidentClinton,1998

While four articles of impeachment were created by the House Judiciary Committee, only the two below were approved by the full House. In the Senate, the vote fell short of the 2/3 majoritythatwasrequiredtoconvictClintonandremovehimfromoffice.

RESOLVED,ThatWilliamJeffersonClinton,PresidentoftheUnitedStates,isimpeachedforhighcrimesandmisdemeanors...

Article One: In his conduct while President of the United States . . . in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of the President . . . has . . . undermined the integrityofhisoffice...betrayedhistrustasPresident...andactedinamannersubversiveoftheruleoflawby:

-willfullycorruptingandmanipulatingthejudicialprocessoftheUnitedStatesforhispersonalgainandexoneration

-willfullycommittingperjurybyprovidingfalseandmisleadingtestimonytothegrandjuryinrelationtohisrelationshipwithanemployee

-willfullycommittingperjurybyproviding falseandmisleadingtestimonytothegrandjuryinrelationtopriorperjurioustestimonyinacivilrightsactionbroughtagainsthim

-allowinghisattorneytomakefalseandmisleadingstatementsinthesamecivilrightsaction

-attemptingtoinfluencewitnesstestimonyandslowthediscoveryofevidenceinthatcivilrightsaction

ArticleThree:...has[inthePaulaJonesCase]prevented,obstructed,andimpededtheadministrationofjusticeby:

-encouraging a witness to give aperjuriousaffidavit-encouragingawitnesstogivefalsetestimonyifcalledtothestand

-allowingand/orencouragingtheconcealmentofsubpoenaedevidence-attemptingtoswayawitnesstestimonybyprovidingajobforthatwitness

-allowing his attorney to makemisleadingtestimony-givingfalseormisleadinginformationtoinfluencethetestimonyofapotentialwitnessinaFederalcivilrightsaction

-givingfalseormisleadinginformationtoinfluencethetestimonyofawitnessinagrandjuryinvestigation

(source: streetlaw.org, photos are PublicDomain)