Wade-Davis Bill
Radical Republicans unhappy with Lincoln's 10% plan
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Two Radical Republicans, Senator Benjamin Wade of Ohio and Congressman Henry Davis of
Maryland, sponsor an alternative plan for Reconstruction
Bill passed by Congress July 1864
Details: After at least half the eligible voters took the oath of allegiance, they could elect
delegates to a form a new state constitution that repealed secession and abolished secession
The catch--to qualify as a voter or delegate, a southerner would have to take a second,
"ironclad" oath, said had never voluntarily supported the Confederacy
Impossible in an former Confederate state unless blacks were given the vote
Radical Republicans wanted black suffrage but the south did not
Black suffrage not considered in Wade-Davis bill
Result--Lincoln pocket vetoes (Congress adjourns before a bill becomes law the president can
sign or veto it until Congress reconvenes)
When Lincoln assassinated Radical republics believed that Andrew Johnson would be less
tolerant to the South or at least easier to control.
Reconstruction Amendments
13th Amendment
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1865
Ends slavery
14th Amendment
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1866
Provides for citizenship to all those born in the US
Former Confederates denied right to hold office
Confederate debt repudiate
15th Amendment
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1869
prohibited a state from denying suffrage on basis of race, color, or previous
condition of servitude (Congress also gave itself power to enforce)
Four states which had not yet been readmitted to Union (including Georgia)
were required to ratify before readmission
Ratified in 1870
Looked good--but big loopholes
 did not provide guarantees for blacks to hold office
 did not prohibit state from restricting suffrage on other grounds-literacy, property holding, etc.
 did not provide suffrage for women