Reconstruction Era Quiz (1865-1877)

Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

• Reconstruction marked the period after the Civil War, lasting from 1865 to 1877. It aimed to reunite the nation and rebuild the South.
• This period ended modern American history.

African-American Rights

• Rights for African Americans were extremely limited in the Reconstruction era, often defined by black codes. These codes restricted the rights of freedmen, often treating them as second-class citizens.
• Their roles in society were largely predetermined and limited, often as farm laborers or servants.

Lincoln and Johnson's Plans

• Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction focused on quickly reintegrating the Confederate states. He sought a gentle approach, emphasizing leniency toward the South.
• 10% of the people who voted in 1860 in the south had to take a loyalty oath and respect the rights of the free blacks. In the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments had to be respected by the Southern states.
• Johnson, Lincoln's successor, held a different view. He believed the Southern states should be given significant autonomy in rebuilding themselves.

Reconstruction Acts of 1867

• Military control was established over former Confederate states and the establishment of military districts.
• Southern states had to ratify civil rights amendments.
• Black citizens' right to vote was limited.

Radical Republicans and Johnson

• Radical Republicans were a faction of the Republican Party that opposed lenient approaches to Reconstruction.
• They challenged Johnson's policies. Their relationship with Johnson was highly contentious.
• Impeachment actions were initiated by the Radical Republicans.

Southern States Rejoining the Union

• Different southern states were readmitted at various points during Reconstruction, and the specifics of readmission varied.
• The timeline varied from state to state due to different levels of cooperation with federal policies.

Southern Hate Groups

• The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) gained power in the South during this era. Their goal was to terrorize and intimidate African Americans and their supporters.
• The KKK also targeted other minority groups in the region.

Johnson Impeachment

• Johnson was impeached by the Radical Republicans. His policies, views, and actions were deemed violations of the constitution.

Grant Administration

• Key aspects of the Grant Administration included confronting the KKK, working with Native Americans, issues of corruption and the 15th amendment.
• The Grant administration also faced issues with corruption, scandals, and the implementation of political reforms.

Native American Issues

• Grant attempted to address the issues of Native Americans by treaty and reservation creation, but these efforts ultimately failed to resolve the conflict between Native Americans and the westward expansion.

Agrarian Issues

• Farmers in the West and Midwest were often opposed to the power of the railroads, as these businesses could severely impact their livelihoods and profits.

The Whiskey Ring Scandal

• In the administration of President Grant, a corrupt activity surrounding government contracts related to the liquor industry came to light. The Whiskey Ring involved a group of government officials who were defrauding the government by making illegal profits from taxes.

Successes and Failures of Reconstruction

• Successes : The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were a positive milestone, although implementation in society would take decades to achieve full equality and fairness.
• Failures : Despite the amendments, lasting inequalities and oppression continued in the South, leading to the continued struggle for African American equality.

Civil Rights Amendments

• Enforcement of Civil Rights was poorly supported by federal efforts after the initial ratification of the amendments.

Reconstruction Era Election of 1876

• The election of 1876 was exceptionally close, resulting in a compromise that effectively ended Reconstruction.

Dawes Act (1887)

• The Dawes Act was aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American life by dividing reservations into individual allotments.

Farmers' Grangers

• The Grangers movement sought to improve conditions for farmers through cooperative organizations. They gained more political presence.