The Civil War and Lincoln's Reconstruction

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant outcome of the Civil War in relation to slavery?

The ratification of the 13th Amendment (correct)

The establishment of the Confederate States of America

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln

The expansion of slavery into new territories

Which political party was predominantly anti-slavery during Lincoln's presidency?

Republican Party (correct)

Libertarian Party

Whig Party

Democratic Party

What was required of wealthy Southerners for them to regain political rights according to Andrew Johnson's Plan?

They needed to take a loyalty oath (correct)

They must form a new state constitution

They had to support the Radical Republicans

They had to enact new voting laws

What aspect of Johnson's approach to Reconstruction distinguished him from Lincoln?

Johnson aimed for a fast return of Southern states to the Union Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects the intent of Black Codes?

They aimed to limit the rights of newly freed slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Black Codes prohibit concerning newly freed slaves and their interactions with white individuals?

They could not testify in court against a white person. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Confederate Vice-President that was sent to Congress by Southern states?

Alexander Stephens Signup and view all the answers

What was necessary for Southern States to do to return to the Union during Reconstruction?

They had to repudiate secession and ratify the 13th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence for individuals who did not adhere to curfews during the period of vagrancy laws?

They could be arrested. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 aim to address?

To respond to the oppressive Black Codes. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary functions of the Freedmen's Bureau during Reconstruction?

To help build schools and provide medical aid. Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment turned the Civil Rights Bill into a constitutional amendment?

14th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

What triggered the impeachment of President Johnson?

His violation of the Tenure in Office Act. Signup and view all the answers

What was required of Southern states for re-admission to the Union during Reconstruction?

Write new state constitutions that guarantee voting rights for black men. Signup and view all the answers

How close was President Johnson to being removed from office during his impeachment trial?

He survived by just one vote. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following amendments granted black men the right to vote?

15th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Civil War (1861-1865)

The primary cause of the Civil War was slavery.
The issue of slavery became central in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, as president.
Lincoln defeated John Breckinridge, a Democrat.
The Republican Party had varying views on slavery, with the Radical Republicans being the most vocal advocates against it.
The Democratic Party had a mix of stances, ranging from indifference to support for slavery.
Lincoln campaigned on limiting the expansion of slavery to new territories.
Following Lincoln's election, 11 Southern states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America.
The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, and ended on April 9, 1865.
President Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865.

Lincoln's Reconstruction Efforts

Presided over the passing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States.
Advocated for freed African-American men to have the right to vote.

Reconstruction: A Definition

The period after the Civil War, from 1865 to 1877, focused on rebuilding the nation and determining the status of formerly enslaved people.
Key issues included:
- Reintegrating the Southern states into the Union.
- Establishing the legal and political rights of African Americans.
- Providing assistance to the newly freed population.

Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1867)

Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's successor, took a lenient approach to Reconstruction.
Both Johnson and Lincoln were pro-Union but Johnson was not anti-slavery and lacked sympathy for freed slaves.
To rejoin the Union, Southern states had to:
- Take a loyalty oath.
- Ratify the 13th Amendment.

Johnson's Plan

Wealthy Southerners seeking political or property rights had to obtain a personal pardon from Johnson.
Johnson favored a quick return of Southern states to the Union without rigorous conditions.
The plan allowed Southern states to elect former Confederate officials to Congress, including 9 congressmen, 7 state officials, 4 generals, 4 colonels, and Alexander Stephens, the Confederate Vice-President, back into government roles.

Black Codes

These were laws passed in Southern states, distinct from Jim Crow Laws, to limit the rights of newly freed African Americans.
The Black Codes varied between states and included restrictions such as:
- Prohibiting African Americans from testifying against white people in court.
- Limiting voting rights.
- Requiring permission from white people for travel.
- Allowing for the assignment of children to former owners.
- Arresting African Americans for vagrancy (being unemployed).
- Establishing curfews for African Americans.
- Allowing for the auctioning off of people who didn't pay fines to work for white employers.

The Break Between Johnson and Congress

The passing of the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 was a direct response to the Black Codes.
Johnson vetoed the bill, but Congress overturned it.

Congressional Reconstruction (1867-1870)

Congress took a more active role in Reconstruction, with the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau - a federal agency designed to help freed slaves transition to freedom.
The Bureau focused on:
- Building schools.
- Assisting with employment.
- Providing medical aide.

Military Reconstruction Acts

Passed in 1867, the Acts divided the South into five military districts, under the control of federal troops.
The Acts outlined the requirements for Southern states re-admission to the Union, including:
- Crafting new state constitutions guaranteeing black men the right to vote.
- Ratifying the 14th Amendment.

14th and 15th Amendments

The 14th Amendment, passed in 1868, formally made the Civil Rights Bill into a constitutional amendment.
The 15th Amendment, passed in 1870, granted the right to vote to African-American men.

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Johnson attempted to dismiss federal officials who were working on Reconstruction efforts, violating the Tenure in Office Act, a law passed by Congress.
Johnson argued the law was unconstitutional and fired the Secretary of War, a prominent ally of the Radical Republicans.
Congress impeached Johnson, accusing him of 'high crimes and misdemeanors'.
The House of Representatives voted to approve the articles of impeachment, and the Senate held a trial.
Although the Senate narrowly failed to convict Johnson by one vote, he was unable to run for office again in 1868.
Ulysses S. Grant was elected president.

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Description

Explore the significant events and themes surrounding the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, including the primary causes like slavery and the impacts of Abraham Lincoln's presidency. Learn about the key aspects of Lincoln's Reconstruction efforts, particularly the 13th Amendment and voting rights for African-Americans.