Radical Reconstruction

First Civil Rights Act

1866. African Americans were citizens of the US. Gave the federal government power to intervene in state affairs to protect the rights of citizens. Part of Congress's response to the black codes. Vetoed by Johnson, but Congress overrode him.

Congressional Reconstruction

Combined the former Confederacy into five military districts. Military commanders would govern and had orders to register qualified voters. Voters would then elect conventions to make up a new state constitution which had to include AA suffrage. If the constitution was ratified, it ratified the fourteenth amendment and enough states ratified the amendment to make it part of the constitution the former Confederate states would be restored to the Union.

Tenure of Office Act

Forbade the president to remove civil officials without the consent of the Senate. It's principal purpose was to protect the job of the Secretary of War, Stanton, who was cooperating with the Radicals.

"Black Codes"

South state legislatures created these in 1865 and 1866. Designed to give whites power over former slaves. Local officials were given permission to apprehend unemployed African Americans, fine them for vagrancy and hire them out to satisfy the fine. Some forbade African Americans to own or lease farms and take up any job other than that of a plantation worker or domestic servant.

Ex parte Milligan

The court said that military tribunals were unconstitutional where civil courts still functioned because they seemed to threaten the Radicals.

Radical Reconstruction

period beginning in 1867, when the Republicans, who had control in both houses of Congress, took charge of Reconstruction. The Radical Republicans passed four Reconstruction Acts in 1868: (1) ratify the Fourteenth Amendment; (2) write new state constitutions that guarantee freedmen the right to vote; (3) form new governments to be elected by all male citizens including African Americans.