President Abraham Lincoln / the nation to heal as quickly as possible from the Civil War and planned to reunify the nation quickly / he was assassinated in 1865 only days after Robert E. Lee’s surrender / plans for Reconstruction were taken over by Vice President Andrew Johnson, who became president after Lincoln’s death
President Andrew Johnson / to reunite the nation by including amnesty for all who swore loyalty to the United States / he infuriated the Radical Republicans who thought he was too forgiving by allowing Confederates to return to power / the Republicans gained an overwhelming majority in both the House and the Senate and, Congress began passing bills that would change Reconstruction policy.
Radical Republicans / change for the South and, wanted to take control of Reconstruction / President Johnson vetoed many bills that Congress passed / many other Republicans joined the Radicals and together, Republicans in Congress were able to override the president's vetoes and put their plans in action.
Southern Democrats / the removal of all remaining federal troops from the South and a change in Congress / they had to approve the decision of the commission to make Rutherford B. Hayes president in the election of 1876 / They agreed to accept Hayes ifhe removed all remaining federal troops from the South and named a Southern Democrat to his Cabinet.
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June 27th 2013
01.04 Rebuilding the Government: Assignment
PART 1
PART 2
What was the main issue relating to Reconstruction that divided Republicans at the end of the Civil War? If you had been a member of Congress at the time, what type of plan for Reconstruction would you have supported and why?
The main issue relating to Reconstruction that divided Republicans at the end of the Civil war was how punitive to be toward the rebel states and for how long. Lincoln and other leaders believed they should make it simple for the South to rejoin the Union.They believed that the sooner the nation reunited, the faster it could begin the healing process. But, the Radicals believed the South needed punishment and blamed them for the war. If I had been a member of Congress at the time I would have supported the plan of Reconstruction that the Radical Republicans supported because I do believe that the Southern States were at fault for the destruction and lives loss during the war. Also I believe in the same things the Radicals believed in such as equal rights for African Americans and the end of slavery. Therefore, if I were a member of Congress at the time I would have had the same goals as the Radicals.