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Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan
Lincoln’s plans in order for postwar reconstruction to be successful. The plan included the 10% plan pledge, wanted the south to rejoin the union quickly, impose harsh punishments against those disobey the laws, and protect private property rights. image An image of the terms and conditions decided by Abraham Lincoln. -
Radical Republicans
A faction within the Republican party that believed in the total eradication of slavery and secession. Fought against the rest of the Republican party and Democratic party, for the civil and basic rights of slaves. The political cartoon depicts major figures and influences that lead the Radical Republicans. Frederick Douglass and Lincoln are key figures of the fight against slavery. -
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Reconstruction Timeline
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[Lincoln’s Reconstruction]
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Wade-Davis Bill
Required 50% (based off of the 10% originally) of 1860 voters to swear an oath to the union. Strengthens the union and decreases chances of another secession. Along with their allegiance, they abolished slavery, reject all debts acquired as the Confederacy, and deprive government officials the right to vote. image. Rediscussion of debates on Lincoln's decision of reunion. -
Special Field Order 15
Military orders from General William Tecumseh Sherman to confiscate and give 400,000 acres of land to 18,000 freed slave families for helping with the Sherman’s march. It was planned to be a temporary solution but was interpreted as a long term rights of land that caused much confusion and arguments over ownership. image A copy of the order commanded by William Tecumseh; discusses the ideas, intents, and terms. -
Presidential Lincoln’s death
The assassination of Lincoln in 1865 marked the loss of a major supporter and key figure of reconstruction. His death is proof of the growing tensions between the North and South over the disputes of slavery and the union. The political cartoon depicts the efforts and influence Lincoln played in the reconstruction and reunion of the nation.. -
Freedman’s Bureau
Federal funded organization that gave emergency supplies to victims of the war (food rations, clothes, education and shelter). Frowned upon by Southerners but prevented mass starvation in the North. The picture demonstrates the massive dependency of families on the supplies of the Freedman's Bureau as they had nothing else. -
13th Amendment
Required by Southern states to ratify into state constitutions in order to rejoin the union and banned the practice of slavery across the whole nation. It also gave the federal government the rights to enforce this amendment. A picture of the actual document, listing the terms and conditions that were required by all states of the US to be followed. -
Share Cropping
A form of agriculture where land owners gave newly freed slaves land to use (without property rights) and grow crops on in exchange for a portion of the harvests as a form of rent. This gave many freed slaves the opportunity to have success and a steady income to survive off of.
The political carton simplistically depicts the idea of share cropping. The land owners lend their land in exchange for harvests. -
Civil Rights Bill of 1866
The house of representatives overrode President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the Civil Rights Bill. Granting citizenship to all born and naturalized people within the US (besides Native Americans). Along with citizenship came natural rights to life, liberty, and property.The political cartoon depicts the handing off of rights between Americans and Freed Slaves, fortified by the civil rights bill. -
Black Codes
Restrictive laws placed on African Americans to limit their freedom and keep them within the grasps of slavery. It forced them to sign yearly labor contracts or risk being arrested - upsets cause impacts on the next election. This image shows the rounding about of African Americans to serve their labor contracts that they were forced to sign. -
Klu Klux Klan
A society with the goal of driving out carpetbaggers and intimidating African American voters to regain control of the south. They tended to harass and terrorize those who supported the banning of slavery. Their fame and terror grew and caused fear in many people.
This image shows the ways this organization terrorized and harassed those that went against their beliefs. -
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[Presidential (Johnson)]
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Reconstruction Act
There were two main radical Reconstruction Acts: Command of the Army Act, and Tenure of the Office Act. The first places limits on the presidents and limits his actions to be through the military, and the second makes it unconstitutional for the President to remove or appoint anyone to the Senate - this protects Lincoln's supporters.
Shows the 5 military divisions that the nation was divided into and the restrictions placed on the Presidential powers. -
14th Amendment
Was created out of fear that the Civil Rights Act would be overturned and grants citizenship regardless of previous servitude. Did not allow any state to deny equal protection of laws.
Shows the displeasure of the Southeners in response to this amendment because it gave African Americans equal citizenship and could therefore not become slaves. -
Scalawags
The term for Southerners who supported Reconstruction and the Republican party. During the heated battle both politically and physically, many people switched sides on the debate.
Depicts the image of coonverted southerners to mainstream southerners and how they look upon them with shame. Also shows the ideals that the scalawags believed in. -
Impeachment of President Johnson
The first impeached president and was ushered because of his reluctance to pass laws that promoted reconstruction and rights of free slaves. He also committed several crimes and article reports containing them were recorded and presented during his trial, resulting in his impeachment.
This image shows the trial at which evidence against Johnson was presented and where he had to defend himself. -
Enforcement Acts
Is also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1870 or First Ku Klux Klan Act, or Force Act. It gave African Americans the right to vote, hold office, serve on juries, and receive equal protection of laws. It gave the federal government the right to enforce these laws.
This political cartoon shows the rights that were given to African Americans that made strides to bring the gap between the races down. It also shows the continuous terrorism despite the laws being passed. -
“Great Constitutional Revolution” concept introduced by Carl Schurz
Introduced by Carl Schurz who was a German revolutionist and an American reformer. He introduced this idea and shaped the federal government along with the language of freedom. This concept focused on a strong focused federal government but also balance to the states in regards to citizenship. It divided the south into 5 districts.
Shows the different districts of the south. It was refused by many of the southern states as it gave them less control in state and federal government. -
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[Congressional/ Military Reconstruction]
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15th Amenment
The 15th amendment allowed slaves to have the right to vote; it prohibited the denial of the right to vote based off race, color, or servitude (but not gender) - required by all states.
This political cartoon demonstrates the rights of minorities to vote, but the little power that came along with the power to vote with such a limited group of leaders to vote on. -
Slaughterhouse Cases
The first supreme court case dealing with the 14th amendment. It dealt with the interpretation and limitations between state and federal laws regarding the protections of individual’s rights. It concluded with the federal government being able to overrule a limited amount of rights in regard to state rulings. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
The last federal civil rights bill passed until the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It was passed in response to the violations of the Civil Rights Act but was poorly supported and enforced.
Depicts the suffering and futality that the African Americans faced living in the US. Their only form of protection was more laws that weren’t even being enforced sufficiently. -
Bargain of 1877
Ended the reconstruction period, and was an informal agreement dealing with the elections. The balance was mostly restored in the federal government and the Northern forces were retrieved from the southern areas.
The image deals with the end of the violence between the north and the south that comes along with the end of reconstruction. The two sides aren’t on agreement yet but the clashing has died down.
