Reconstruction Era

Lincoln, Johnson, and Congress’ Plans for Reconstruction The main goals of the Reconstruction were to readmit the Southern states back into the Union and recognize the civil rights of Freedmen in the society. Its tasks were to unify America into one nation, secure the rights of every man, and establish order. Three major strategies were presented to unify the nation. The three major Reconstruction plans were contributed by Lincoln, Johnson, and the Congress. Lincoln presented his plan in 1864 which required states to take an oath of allegiance to the Union and accept the abolition of slavery if ten percent of the voting population in each state voted in the 1860 election. In addition, Lincoln required all Confederate officials to apply for legal pardons. Then all these could create a government that would be loyal to the Union. However, Lincoln’s plan neglected the freedmen’s civil rights. Under his ten percent rule, freedmen were not allowed to be part of a state government nor it addressed land reform. Moreover, there were no federal military protection nor occupation in the Southern states which left the Freedmen in constant fear. However, Lincoln did not have a chance to discharge his plan. After the Wade-Davis bill was passed, which required voters in the South to take an oath of loyalty, he was assassinated, and his goal was not achieved. After Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson was assumed into presidency and had his own plan of Reconstruction. Similar to Lincoln’s plan, fifty percent of the voters in the Southern states who voted in the 1860 election had to take an oath of loyalty to the Union. Thereafter, each state in the South had to write a new constitution and adopt the 13th amendment. Johnson was a supporter for Black Codes and Southern opinions. He restricted rights of African-Americans, and proclaimed Freedmen were not allowed to marry interracially, indict against whites, or perform a jury duty. Johnson’s support for Black Codes damaged him politically in the Union. Furthermore, his plan for every Southern state to adopt the 13th amendment was ineffective. The subjects weren’t interested in a new amendment; they valued more for the state elections. In the Congress, combatant Radicals and Moderates came together to veto Johnson’s plan. Ultimately, he came into conflict with the Republican-majority Congress, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives. The first American president to be impeached, Johnson could not achieve his plan. The Congress finally presented their plan on Reconstruction. Under this plan, the majority of each state’s voters had to take an oath of allegiance, and the states had to write their constitution. In addition to the new constitution, the states had to adopt the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, and the South would be divided into military districts. Finally, the Congress would then review all the constitutions and pardons for Confederate officials. However, just as Lincoln’s and Johnson’s Reconstruction plan, Congress’ plan did nothing to protect the freedmen from racial problems or violence nor recognize land reform. It had only paved the way for segregation. Also, the adaptations of the three amendments only dealt with Federal laws. However, unlike Lincoln and Johnson’s plan, the Congress’ plan was partially achieved. It helped begin the process of rebuilding the South. Reconstruction made the once split nation feel united. However, Reconstruction is viewed as a failure. It laid the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement as well as treating African-Americans as inferiors. The Reconstruction put America into more chaos that made citizens of America eager to put an end to Congress’ Reconstruction plan.