Reconstruction Plans and Impeachment

Today’s GoalsUnderstand and analyze

Reconstruction Plans◦Lincoln’s Plan◦Johnson’s Plan◦Radical Republican’s Plan

Johnson’s Impeachment

Lincoln’s PlansBefore the Civil War ended,

Abraham Lincoln had a plan set to help rebuild the South.

Lincoln’s PlanA general amnesty would be granted to

all who would take an oath of loyalty to the United States and pledge to obey all federal laws pertaining to slavery.

Amnesty – official forgivenessHigh Confederate officials and military

leaders were to be temporarily excluded from the process

Allowed Confederate states to have representatives and be represented in Congress.

Post-LincolnAfter Lincoln was assassinated,

Andrew Johnson became the President of the United States.

When Johnson took over the Presidency, Congress was not in session. Many of his ideas couldn’t get passed without government approval.

In the meantime, black codes were passed by Southern states limiting African American’s freedoms.

Think-Pair-ShareWhat are some Black Codes that

were passed in Southern states?

Johnson’s PlanPardons would be granted to those

taking a loyalty oath No pardons would be available to high

Confederate officials and persons owning property valued in excess of $20,000

A state needed to abolish slavery before being readmitted

A state was required to cancel its secession order before being readmitted.

Think-Pair-ShareHow did Johnson treat the South

during Reconstruction?

Radical Republican’s PlanConcern for the freedmen —

some believed that the federal government had a role to play in the transition of freedmen from slavery to freedom

Political concerns — the Radicals wanted to keep the Republican Party in power in both the North and the South.

Radical Republican’s PlansPassed laws promoting civil

rights.Civil Rights – rights granted to all

citizens.Passed the 14th Amendment,

which granted equal citizenship to all people born in the United States.

The 14th Amendment did not give AA the right to vote.

Johnson’s ImpeachmentDuring Johnson’s presidency, he vetoed

many bills that promoted equal rights amongst all citizens.

Impeach – to accuse and remove the president from office.

Congress passed a law which didn’t allow the president from firing government officials without Senate approval.

Later in the year, Johnson fired his secretary over disagreements about Reconstruction. Three days later, the House impeached Johnson.

Think-Pair-ShareDo you think the House was

justified in impeaching President Johnson? Why or why not?

Partner ActivityWith your shoulder partner, come

up with your own idea to restore the social, economic and political integrity of Southern society.