APUSH: Period 5, 1844-1877 - Reconstruction, Presidential vs Congressional Reconstruction

Why This Matters

Reconstruction, the period following the Civil War, is a pivotal moment in American history that showcases the ongoing struggle for power and identity in the United States. The conflict between Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction highlights the tension between the federal government's authority and the states' rights, ultimately shaping the course of American politics and society. This topic is significant for understanding the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it demonstrates how different groups and individuals vie for control and influence in shaping the nation's future.

Key Events & People

• Radical Republicans: A group of Republicans who advocated for a more radical approach to Reconstruction, including the passage of the 14th Amendment and the establishment of civil rights for African Americans. They played a crucial role in shaping Congressional Reconstruction.
• Andrew Johnson: The 17th President of the United States, who took office after Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Johnson's lenient approach to Reconstruction led to clashes with Radical Republicans in Congress.
• Freedmen's Bureau: Established by Congress in 1865, the Freedmen's Bureau provided assistance to former slaves, including food, shelter, and education. It was a key institution in the Reconstruction era.
• 13th Amendment: Ratified in 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States. It was a crucial step towards Reconstruction.
• 14th Amendment: Proposed by Congress in 1866, the 14th Amendment granted citizenship to former slaves and protected their civil rights. It was a key component of Congressional Reconstruction.
• 15th Amendment: Proposed by Congress in 1869, the 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote. It was a significant step towards equal rights.
• Ku Klux Klan: A white supremacist organization that emerged in the late 1860s, the Ku Klux Klan used violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights and undermine Reconstruction.
• Reconstruction Acts: A series of laws passed by Congress in 1867, the Reconstruction Acts divided the South into five military districts and required each state to create a new government that included African American representation.
• Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: In 1868, Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives for "high crimes and misdemeanors," but was acquitted by a single vote in the Senate.
• Civil Rights Act of 1866: Passed by Congress in 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 granted African Americans equal rights under the law and prohibited states from denying them equal protection.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865 created a power vacuum in the presidency, allowing Andrew Johnson to take office with a more lenient approach to Reconstruction.
• Effect: Johnson's approach led to clashes with Radical Republicans in Congress, who sought a more radical approach to Reconstruction.

• Long-term consequence: The conflict between Johnson and Congress ultimately led to the impeachment of Johnson and the passage of more radical Reconstruction legislation.

• Cause: The failure of Presidential Reconstruction to provide equal rights for African Americans led to the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups.

• Effect: These groups used violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights and undermine Reconstruction.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups contributed to the decline of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow laws in the South.

• Cause: The passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868 granted citizenship to former slaves and protected their civil rights.

• Effect: The 14th Amendment helped to establish a more equal society in the United States, but its implementation was often hindered by the rise of Jim Crow laws.
• Long-term consequence: The 14th Amendment remains a cornerstone of American civil rights law, but its impact has been limited by the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Reconstruction*: The period following the Civil War, during which the United States attempted to rebuild and redefine itself.
• *Radical Republicans*: A group of Republicans who advocated for a more radical approach to Reconstruction, including the passage of the 14th Amendment and the establishment of civil rights for African Americans.
• *Freedmen's Bureau*: An institution established by Congress in 1865 to provide assistance to former slaves, including food, shelter, and education.
• *13th Amendment*: A constitutional amendment ratified in 1865 that abolished slavery throughout the United States.
• *14th Amendment*: A constitutional amendment proposed by Congress in 1866 that granted citizenship to former slaves and protected their civil rights.
• *15th Amendment*: A constitutional amendment proposed by Congress in 1869 that granted African American men the right to vote.
• *Ku Klux Klan*: A white supremacist organization that emerged in the late 1860s, using violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights and undermine Reconstruction.
• *Reconstruction Acts*: A series of laws passed by Congress in 1867 that divided the South into five military districts and required each state to create a new government that included African American representation.
• *Impeachment*: The process by which a government official is charged with "high crimes and misdemeanors" and removed from office.
• *Civil Rights Act of 1866*: A law passed by Congress in 1866 that granted African Americans equal rights under the law and prohibited states from denying them equal protection.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Reconstruction Acts were passed by the Radical Republicans in Congress, but they actually divided the South into five military districts and required each state to create a new government that included African American representation.
• Correction: The Reconstruction Acts were passed by Congress in 1867, and they were a key component of Congressional Reconstruction.
• What students often get wrong: The Ku Klux Klan was a group of former Confederate soldiers who fought to preserve slavery.
• Correction: The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist organization that emerged in the late 1860s, using violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights and undermine Reconstruction.
• What students often get wrong: The 14th Amendment was passed by Congress in 1866, but it was not ratified until 1868.
• Correction: The 14th Amendment was proposed by Congress in 1866, but it was not ratified until 1868.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Radical Republicans in shaping Congressional Reconstruction. Be sure to include specific evidence from the Reconstruction Acts, the 14th Amendment, and the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
• Possible document-based question: Evaluate the impact of the Ku Klux Klan on Reconstruction. Be sure to include specific evidence from primary sources, such as newspaper articles and government reports.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the approaches to Reconstruction taken by Andrew Johnson and the Radical Republicans. Be sure to include specific evidence from Johnson's speeches and the Radical Republicans' legislation.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main goal of the Radical Republicans in shaping Congressional Reconstruction?
2. Correct answer: To establish civil rights for African Americans and ensure their representation in government.

3. Explanation: The Radical Republicans sought to create a more equal society in the United States, and their efforts were a key component of Congressional Reconstruction.

4. What was the significance of the 14th Amendment?

5. Correct answer: It granted citizenship to former slaves and protected their civil rights.

6. Explanation: The 14th Amendment was a crucial step towards establishing a more equal society in the United States, but its implementation was often hindered by the rise of Jim Crow laws.

7. What was the impact of the Ku Klux Klan on Reconstruction?

8. Correct answer: The Ku Klux Klan used violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights and undermine Reconstruction.
9. Explanation: The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist organization that emerged in the late 1860s, and its activities had a significant impact on the course of Reconstruction.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Reconstruction Acts were passed by Congress in 1867.
• The 14th Amendment was proposed by Congress in 1866, but it was not ratified until 1868.
• The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist organization that emerged in the late 1860s.
• The Civil Rights Act of 1866 granted African Americans equal rights under the law and prohibited states from denying them equal protection.
• The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote.
• The impeachment of Andrew Johnson was a significant event in the Reconstruction era.
• The Freedmen's Bureau was an institution established by Congress in 1865 to provide assistance to former slaves.
• The Radical Republicans were a group of Republicans who advocated for a more radical approach to Reconstruction.
• The Reconstruction era lasted from 1865 to 1877.
• The 13th Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States.