Key People and Plans of Reconstruction

Key People During Reconstruction

• Abraham Lincoln: President during the Civil War and early Reconstruction; proposed the 10% Plan for readmission of Southern states.
• Andrew Johnson: President after Lincoln's assassination; favored a lenient approach to Reconstruction, emphasizing states' rights and limited federal power.
• Ulysses S. Grant: President during the latter part of Reconstruction; supported a more active role for the federal government in protecting civil rights for Black Americans.
• Rutherford B. Hayes: Elected President through a controversial compromise that ended federal military occupation of the South, effectively marking the end of Reconstruction.
• Thaddeus Stevens: A leader of the Radical Republicans, advocated for forceful measures to ensure full equality for Black Americans in the South.

Reconstruction Plans

• Lincoln's 10% Plan: Proposed that a state could rejoin the Union if 10% of its voters pledged loyalty and abolished slavery.
• Wade-Davis Bill: Proposed a more stringent plan for readmission, requiring 50% of voters in a state to pledge an "ironclad oath" of loyalty and abolishing slavery. Pocket vetoed by President Lincoln.
• Johnson's Reconstruction: Emphasized states' rights, allowing Southern states to govern themselves with minimal federal intervention, but required ratification of the 13th Amendment.

Reconstruction Policies and Amendments

• 10th Amendment: Reserved powers not explicitly granted to the national government belong to the states.
• 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery in the United States.
• 14th Amendment: Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people; established the Equal Protection Clause, serving as the foundation for civil rights.
• 15th Amendment: Granted voting rights to Black men, while women continued to be denied the right to vote.
• Civil Rights Act of 1866: Initially vetoed by President Johnson, it was a cornerstone of the 14th Amendment, providing legal equality for Black citizens.
• Civil Rights: The concept of equality before the law, evolving over time as societal norms and laws change.

This quiz covers the significant figures and strategies during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. You'll learn about key presidents and lawmakers, their policies, and the impact of their decisions on the reintegration of Southern states. Test your knowledge on how these individuals shaped post-war America.