The Agony of Reconstruction

Lincoln sets forth 10 percent Reconstruction plan

Jan 1, 1863

This was the president's plan to quickly readmit the former Confederate States. The name of the plan stems from the requirement that 10 percent of a state's voters in the 1860 election had to sign a loyalty oath. The states also had to abolish slavery. The Southerners received a full pardon except for the Confederate leaders. http://www.visitingdc.com/images/abraham-lincoln-picture.jpg

Wade-Davis Bill passes Congress but is pocket-vetoed by Lincoln

Jan 1, 1864

This was Congress's answer to Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan, calling for the majority of a former Confederate State's white male population to take a loyalty oath and equality for African Americans. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/treasures_of_congress/Images/page_13/44a.jpg

Johnson moves to reconstruct the South on his own initiative

Jan 1, 1865

President because of Lincoln's assassination, Johnson attempted to put the Union back together himself. Although he seemed to agree with the Radical Republicans, they did not agree with his policy and neither did Congress, causing a large rift between the legislative and executive branches. http://www.presidentprofiles.com/images/prh_01_img0036.jpg

Congress refuses to seat representatives and senators elected from states reestablished under presidential plan

Dec 1, 1865

Disagreeing with Johnson's Reconstruction policy, the House and Senate instead established a joint committee to set further conditions for readmission of the Confederate States. http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/ca29bcdb-53ca-4e03-bb57-f25cbb1f7b8d.jpg

Johnson vetoes Freedmen's Bureau Bill

Feb 1, 1866

Furthering the gap between the legislative and executive branches, Johnson vetoed this bill that had a steady Republican support, which called for a temporary agency to aid former slaves. http://www.picturehistory.com/images/products/1/7/4/prod_17447.jpg

Johnson vetoes Civil Rights Act; it passes over his veto

Apr 1, 1866

The second bill that Johnson vetoed to anger the Republicans, it passed with a two-thirds majority over his veto, the first time in history. This law nullified the Black Codes. http://www.picturehistory.com/images/products/1/7/6/prod_17637.jpg

Congress passes Fourteenth Amendment

Jun 1, 1866

This law gave the federal government responsibility for guaranteeing equal rights under the law to all Americans because the Republican majority feared Johnson would not enforce civil rights legislation. http://ao.ena.com/AO/Block?community=5168&category=0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkellenebishop.files.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F14th-amendment1.jpg&token=AOToken

Republicans increase their congressional majority in the fall elections

Oct 1, 1866

This furhter helped to fight President Johnson's policies, though it was not enough to impeach him. http://www.acc-tv.com/images/globalnews/gp_republican_1006.jpg

First Reconstruction Act is passed over Johnson's veto

Mar 1, 1867

This measure represented a compromise between the Radical and moderate ideas. It reorganized the South into five military districts. http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/sespics/71853.jpg

Johnson is impeached; he avoids conviction by one vote

Period: Feb 1, 1868 to May 1, 1868

Southern blacks vote and serve in constitutional conventions

Jun 1, 1868

After the additional amendments, blacks were given more rights and could have an active voice in government, like other citizens. http://www.blackpast.org/files/blackpast_images/Freedmen_Voting__South_Carolina__1868.jpg

Grant wins presidential election, defeating Horatio Seymour

Dec 1, 1868

The American population blamed Grant for the country's decline because he seemed to put the loyaties to his friends before the nation's best interets, which led to scandals. http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/csl0649l.jpg

Congress passes Fifteenth Amendment, granting African Americans the right to vote

Jan 1, 1869

This amendment granted the right to vote to all male citizens, regardless of race. http://jdhilmer.com/Brandon/images/15th%20amendment.jpg

Congress passes Ku Klux Klan Acts to protect black voting rights in the South

Period: Jan 1, 1870 to Jan 1, 1871

Grant re-elected president, defeating Horace Greeley, candidate of Liberal Republicans and Democrats

Jan 1, 1872

Horace Greeley, was the surprising candidate of the Liberal Republicans and Democrats, despite his points of view on the tariff and civil service reform. He provided a poor campaign and was defeated by Republican Grant, http://www.alomani.com/knowledge/history/us/t_union_general_grant.jpg

Financial panic plunges nation into depression

Jan 1, 1873

President Grant circulated the greenbacks to improve the economy until they could be backed by gold. By inflating the currency, the Panic of 1873 caused the economy to decline into depression. http://www.yorku.ca/yusaa/images/MoneySign-main_Full.jpg

Congress passes Specie Resumption Act

Jan 1, 1875

It reduced the amount of greenbacks in circulation until they could return to specie payments. http://stg.powerwealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/greenback1862b.gif

"Whiskey Ring" scandal exposed

Dec 1, 1875

The "Whiskey Ring" involved federal revenue officials who stole millions of dollars from the government through liquor taxes. Grant interfered when the Senate took action even though he did not profit from the scandal. In fact, it helped the public further their displeasure with his presidency. http://www.harpweek.com/Images/SourceImages/CartoonOfTheDay/March/031876m.jpg

Disputed presidential election resolved in favor of Republican Hayes over Democrat Tilden

Period: Jan 1, 1876 to Jan 1, 1877

Compromise of 1877 ends military intervention in the South and causes fall of the last Radical governments

Jan 1, 1877

Although it is unknown precisely what the agreements were, the outcome was that Hayes would be president and southern blacks would be left to their fates. http://www.nndb.com/people/005/000029915/rutherford-b-hayes.jpg