AMSCO Chapter 15

Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

In 1863, President Lincoln's proclamation set up a process for political reconstruction, creating state governments in the South so that Unionists were in charge rather than secessionists. It include a full presidential pardon for most Confederates who took an oath of allegiance to the Union and the U.S. Constitution, and accepted the emancipation of slaves. It also reestablished state governments as soon as at least 10 percent of the voters in the state took the loyalty oath. In practice, the proclamation meant that each Southern state would need to rewrite its state constitution to eliminate existence of slavery. (p. 292)

Amnesty Act of 1872

This act removed the last of the restrictions on ex-Confederates, except for the top leaders. Allowed southern conservatives to vote for Democrats to retake control of state governments. (p. 302)

Compromise of 1877

This informal deal settled the 1876 presidential election contest between Rutherford Hayes (Republican) and Samuel Tilden (Democrat). It was agreed that Hayes would become president. In return, he would remove all federal troops from the South and support the building of a Southern transcontinental railroad. (p. 303)

Rutherford B. Hayes

He won the presidential election of 1876, which was a highly contested election. He was a Republican governor from Ohio. (p. 302)

redeemers

By 1877, these Southern conservatives had taken control of state governments in the South. Their foundation rested on states rights, reduced taxes, reduced social programs, and white supremacy. (p. 302)

sharecropping

Common form of farming for freed slaves in the South. They received a small plot of land, seed, fertilizer, tools from the landlord who usually took half of the harvest. It evolved into a new form of servitude. (p. 300)

Ku Klux Klan

Founded in 1867, by ex-Confederate general, Nathaniel Bedford Forrest. This organization of white supremacists used lynchings, beatings, and threats to control the black population in the South. (p. 302)

Wade-Davis Bill

In 1864, this harsh Congressional Reconstruction bill stated that the president would appoint provisional governments for conquered states until a majority of voters took an oath of loyalty to the Union. It required the abolition of slavery by new state constitutions, only non-Confederates could vote for a new state constitution. President Lincoln refused to sign the bill, pocket vetoing it after Congress adjourned. (p. 292)

Freedmen's Bureau

In March 1865, an organization created at end of Civil War, which provided aid to the both black and whites in the South. It provided food, shelter, and medical aid for those made destitute by the Civil War. (p. 292)

Radical Republicans

In the 1860s, this was the smaller portion of the Republican party than the moderates. They were led by Senator Charles Sumner and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens. They supported various programs that were most beneficial to the newly freed African Americans in the South. (p. 295)

Congressional Reconstruction

In the spring of 1866, many in Congress were unhappy with President Andrew Johnson's policies and this led to the second round of reconstruction. Its creation was dominated by Congress and featured policies that were harsher on Southern whites and more protective of freed African Americans. (p. 295)

presidential reconstruction

President Abraham Lincoln believed that the Southern states could not leave the Union and therefore never did leave. He consider them a disloyal minority. After Lincoln's assassination, President Andrew Johnson attempted to carry out Lincoln's plan for reconstruction. (p. 292)

impeachment of Andrew Johnson

President Johnson was the first president impeached, for the charge of High Crimes and Misdemeanors on February 24, 1868. One of the articles of impeachment was violating the Tenure of Office Act. He had removed Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, from office. The impeachment failed, falling just one vote short. (p. 297)

14th Amendment

Ratified in 1868, this Constitutional amendment, declares that all persons born or naturalized in the United States were citizens, and it obligated the states to respect the rights of U.S. citizens and provide them with "equal protection of the laws" and "due process of law". Other parts of the amendment related to Congress' plan for Reconstruction. (p. 295)

15h Amendment

Ratified in 1870, this Constitutional amendment, prohibited any state from denying or abridging a citizen's right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." (p. 297)

Black Codes

Southern state legislatures created these codes after the Civil War. They restricted the rights and movements of newly freed African Americans. 1) prohibited blacks from either renting land or borrowing money to buy land, 2) placed freemen into a form of semi bondage by forcing them, as "vagrants" and "apprentices" to sign work contracts, 3) prohibited blacks from testifying against whites in court. (p. 294)

Andrew Johnson

The 17th President of the United States from 1865 to 1869. This Southerner from Tennessee was Lincoln's vice president, and he became president after Lincoln was assassinated. He opposed radical Republicans who passed Reconstruction Acts over his veto. The first U.S. president to be impeached, he survived the Senate removal by only one vote. (p. 297)

Civil Rights Act of 1875

The last major piece of Reconstruction legislation, this law prohibited racial discrimination in all public accommodation and transportation. It also prohibited courts from excluding African Americans from juries. However, the law was poorly enforced. (p. 297)

carpetbaggers

The term for Northern newcomers who came to the South during Reconstruction. (p. 298)

scalawags

The term for White Republican Southerners who cooperated with and served in Reconstruction governments. (p. 298)

Civil Rights Act of 1866

This act declared that all African Americans were U.S. citizens and also attempted to provide a shield against the operation of the Southern states' Black Codes. (p. 295)