Who Supported Radical Reconstruction - Research Paper Example

?Shelli Luna Ernest I. Bridges African-American History November 17, Who supported radical Reconstruction? The end of the American Civil Warmarked the beginning of the reconstruction era. The reconstruction era is deemed as one of the most important historical periods in America but it also came to be among the most turbulent periods in the history of America. The era of reconstruction was necessitated by the poor state of the south after the American Civil War. The material and psychological wounds sustained by the south needed to be fixed hence the need for reconstruction. There was need for new roads, public utilities, rail and housing1. President Abraham Lincoln quickly moved to put in place policies for reconstruction and restoration of the south. President Lincoln wanted to reintegrate the south into the union as soon as possible after the war so as to facilitate the reconstruction. He was one of the forefront supporters for the restoration of the south. Lincoln was aware that once the southern states were brought back into the union, the republicans were going to be weakened unless they changed their political strategies. Lincoln wanted to maintain peace while at the same time attract former republican loyalists in the south to his side. This period was characterized by a lot of instability because policies of the northerners such as abolition of slavery did not particularly go down well with southerners. Furthermore, the southerners were bitter for losing the war. The radical republicans were opposed to the manner of re integration that was proposed by Lincoln partly because it was likely to make them weak politically2. Lincoln proclaimed amnesty and reconstruction in 1863 and offered full pardon plus return of property to people of the south who were willing to swear allegiance to the United States. The ten percent plan was introduced. It gave southerners the right to create a state government if a ten percent threshold for voters that took oath was reached. This plan was not well received by the Republicans. The Republicans advocated for equal rights to be employed to freedmen but a tough stance to white people from the south. Senator Benjamin Wade who represented Ohio and Senator Henry Davis who was the state of Maryland representative came up with a bill to counter Lincolns plan. They advocated for a harsher plan in form of the Wade-Davis bill3. This bill required 50% of males in succeeded states to take the oath of allegiance in order for elections to take place. Although congress passed the bill, it was vetoed by Lincoln. After the assassination of President Lincoln in April 14, 1965 Andrew Johnson became president. It was during Johnson’s time that the southerners were readmitted into the union. President Johnson came up with The Presidential Plan4. The presidential plan was primarily based on what Lincoln had previously wanted to implement. All land that had been confiscated was returned to the owners. During congresses recess, Johnson approved new constitutions for the states that had seceded. The constitutions provided for the election of a governor and a legislative body to oversee the running of each state. He also readmitted states that adopted the abolition of slavery through ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. President Johnson granted pardons to those that took the oath in accordance to the ten percent plan. However, high level confederate officials and other persons who owned property with a value that exceeded $20,000 was not granted pardon. It was a requirement for states to abolish slavery in order to be readmitted. Several amendments in the form of the 13th 14th and 15th amendments were made. These were mainly to protect the rights of African Americans at the time. The Reconstruction Acts which were passed in 1867 played a crucial role in the readmission process of the southern states5. It was during the era of reconstruction that interracial democracy was first practiced. This brewed a lot of controversy especially due to the participation of African Americans in politics. Although President Lincoln had abolished slavery on 1st January 1863 by proclamation6, it wasn’t until 1868 that slavery was legally abolished. Additional pieces of legislation; The Fourteenth Amendment of 1868 that granted national citizenship to former slaves, and the Fifteenth Amendment of 1870 which gave African Americans their voting rights are considered great milestones made during this period. These reforms were of great significance as African Americans became empowered. There were industrial changes that took place. The blacks were able to own and buy land. They could practice agriculture and therefore had means to earn a living and also feed themselves. There were efforts by some to look for long lost relatives who were separated due to slavery. A few government efforts such as the Port Royal experiment in South Carolina and the Special Field Order no.15 were very helpful to the black community in assisting them acquire property. The reconstruction period between 1865 and 1877 was a very challenging and difficult time for African American Slaves. This is because although they were free people, the former slaves had no jobs and hence lacked a means of providing for themselves. The freed slaves also lacked any form of education and this made it very difficult for them to acquire jobs in the south. Furthermore, the southerners greatly resented the African Americans whom they viewed as slaves. The Freedman’s bureau was established in order to assist the freed slaves establish themselves in society. The Freedman’s Bureau played a great role by assisting freed slaves by offering jobs, medical care and food to them. The bureau also assisted them to acquire land. Assistance was also given when it came to establishing social amenities such as education facilities and churches (“African American Studies 12”). The bureau was however understaffed and inadequately skilled to efficiently disseminate its mandate. In addition, the bureau was hated by the south as it did was assisting the African Americans and often “meddled” in the affairs of the south7. The reconstruction period of 1865-1877 was of the most crucial reform period in the history of the United States. First and foremost, it served to unite the north and south. There were a lot of structural reforms that took place during this period that strengthened the economy of the Union. Even of greater importance is that it marked a turning point for the way of life for African Americans as this is when most of the rights enjoyed up to this day got their foundation. The abolition of slavery also transformed the way of life of Americans both economically and socially. The ability of African Americans to own land meant that they could also produce and sell their crops just like the white people. There was also political empowerment through the 15th amendment that enabled the African Americans to cast their votes just like other American citizens. Generally it can be noted that the amendments made during the reconstruction were of great importance to the United States. Due credit should be given to the presidents that officiated during this period starting with Abraham Lincoln and his successor Adam Johnson. It is the relentless efforts of these men that brought this country to the point that it has reached today. Works Cited Harold, Hine. The African-American Odyssey. 2nd ed. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010. Print. Roberta Sue Alexander. North Carolina Faces the Freedmen: Race Relations During Presidential Reconstruction, 1865-1867, Durham: Duke University Press, 1985. Print African-American Studies. Fayetteville Public Schools, 2008. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. Hine D. Clark, William C. Hine, and Stanley C. Harrold. African Americans: A concise history.4th ed. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. Print. Perman Michael. Reunion without compromise: The South and Reconstruction: 1865-1868 .London: Cambridge University Press. Print. Jenkins L. Wilbert. Climbing up to Glory: A Short History of African Americans during the Civil War and Reconstruction. New York: SR Books, 2002.Print. Read More