CHAPTER 17: Reconstruction Section 2:

The Fight over Reconstruction

VOCABULARY Impeach: To bring charges against a public official for wrongdoing

PRESIDENT JOHNSON Democrat &

former slaveholder Did not believe in equal rights for blacks Wanted lenient reconstruction Gave pardons to wealthy Confederate leaders

RECONSTRUCTION OVER?

Southern states followed lenient plan Johnson admitted themback in as states• Declared reconstruction over

BLACK CODES Southern states passed Black Codes• Laws that limited the freedom of African Americans

BLACK CODES Could not own property or guns No voting rights If no job, could be arrested and forced to work for no pay

“This is a white man’s government, and

intended for white men only.” -Benjamin F.

Perry (Governor of South Carolina)

THE RADICAL REPUBLICANS

Radical Republicans – Northern members of Congress• Wanted to redo Reconstruction• Much stricter plan on the South

CONGRESS TAKES CONTROL OF

RECONSTRUCTION Radical Republicans pass two Constitutional Amendments• 14th Amendment – Gave full citizenship to African Americans

CONGRESS TAKES CONTROL OF

RECONSTRUCTION • 15th Amendment – Gave voting rights to African American men

CONGRESS TAKES CONTROL OF

RECONSTRUCTION Also pass new Reconstruction Acts• Divided the South into 5 military districts• Each one controlled by a Northern military commander• States must support 14th & 15th Amendments to be readmitted

Radical Reconstruction Military Districts

JOHNSON DISAGREES WITH RADICAL

RECONSTRUCTION Johnson tried to veto the Radical Reconstruction Acts Opposed the Amendments

THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Congress passed a

law that forbid the President from removing cabinet officials without Senate approval Johnson then fired Sec. of War Edwin Stanton

You’re fired!

DarnHa ha, they can’t tell me what to do!

THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Congress voted to

impeach Johnson

THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Johnson then went to

the Senate for a trial• 2/3rds vote would remove him from office

The Impeach

ment Trial of Andrew Johnson

Oh crap!

THE PRESIDENT ON TRIAL Johnson is saved by

one single vote

Whew! That was

close.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1868

Johnson does not run Republican Ulysses S. Grant wins• He supports Radical Reconstruction