Reconstruction and its Effects
Chapter 4 Section 4
BIG IDEAS
• MAIN IDEA: After the civil war the nation
embarked on a period known as
reconstruction, during which attempts were
made to readmit the south
• WHY IT MATTERS NOW: The 14th and 15th
amendments, passed during reconstruction,
gave rights to all Americans
Why Reconstruction?
• The time period following the Civil War lasting
from 1865-1876
• Issues:
 How to readmit Southern states into the Union?
 How to rebuild the South following the war?
Republicans Clash
Lincoln
• If 10% of a state’s
population swore
loyalty to the USA, they
would be readmitted
Radical Republicans
• Wanted to destroy power of
former slaveholders
• Provide African-Americans
with full citizenship
Johnson’s Approach
• Each state would declare secession illegal
• Swear loyalty to the USA
• Ratify the 13th Amendment– Abolish
slavery
Johnson Turns his Back
Freedmen’s Bureau
Black Codes
• Assisted blacks in the • Prohibited blacks
South with hospitals
from carrying
and education
weapons, serving on
juries, testifying,
marrying
whites,
or
• Johnson did not
travelling
freely
support
• Johnson did nothing
to stop black codes
Radical Republican Actions
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
• 1868
• 1870
• Gave African• Protected right of
Americans equal
African-Americans to
protection under the
VOTE
law
Former Slaves Improve Their Lives
• Many former slaves
moved to Southern
cities to escape
plantation life
• Looked for family
members
• Started “traditional”
families
Blacks during Reconstruction
• 1865-1877
• 90% over 20 are
illiterate
• Held offices in local,
state, and federal
positions
– Pushed for antisegregation laws
– Equal rights for blacks
Sharecropping
• Receives Land
• Buys food/clothing on
credit
• Plants/harvests crop
• Give 50% to landowner
• Sell the rest of the
harvest
• Pay back debts
• Start cycle again