Reconstruction4 essays

Reconstruction4 essays After the Civil War ended, President Lincoln was faced with the task of rejoining a Union which was thriving less than fifty years earlier. In 1863 to achieve this goal, Lincoln introduced his restoration plan to the country. During this time of Reconstruction many compromises were made in order to bring the south into American society once more, while incorporating the needs of the newly emancipated slaves. Although Lincoln was very helpful in trying to join the north and south, he was assassinated before and his successor, Andrew Johnson disliked by the majority of the nation, could not follow through with its ideals. During this time, ex-slaves were trying to integrate into the new American economy and society. Throughout the course of the twelve year period of Reconstruction, black Americans made significant gains in their struggle for equal rights. Because of the lack of attention and the unfair manner Johnson treated the North, all who opposed him aided black Americans i n their goal for economic and social equality of opportunity. President Lincolns announcement of restoration plans for the country began with what he called his 10% plan. He proposed an exculpation for Confederate citizens, not including high-ranking officials, who agreed to take an oath pledging their loyalty to the Union and accept all the Unions wartime acts and proclamations concerning to slavery. Once 10% of any confederate state took that oath, those specific individuals would be then allowed to organize a new state government. During this time congress was made up of the radical republicans, the moderate republicans, and the democrats. The radical republicans wanted none of the leaders of the Confederacy to come to power in the South, and wanted the establishment of the republican party as the national party. They also demanded that the federal government should ensure civil rights for the ex-slaves. The ...