Unit 7: Reconstruction and Politics

Goals of this Unit

To understand that after the soaring ideals and tremendous sacrifices of the Civil War, the post-war era was generally one of disillusionment with rampant political corruption, regional animosity, rapid industrialization, ethnic conflict, and a disparity of wealth in America. To realize that while Reconstruction did address difficult issues of reform and racial justice for in the South and achieved some successes, it was ultimately abandoned, leaving a deep legacy of racial and sectional bitterness. To be able to explain that cultural differences, different constituencies, deeply felt local issues, and controversial economic policies fueled intense party competition and unprecedented voter participation, led to several unsuccessful reform movements. To recognize that the Compromise of 1877, which put an end to Reconstruction, allowed for an oppressive social and economic structure to return to the South, leading to racial supremacy and segregation for decades to come.

The Reconstruction
Freedmen freed slaves in tough situation:
Most stayed (either by choice or force) on plantation
U.S. Army freed all slaves eventually

Some fled North Some rioted against former masters

New social structure for blacks is shaky

Churches grow and become pillar of black community

Freedmans Bureau created to help blacks adjust to free life provided food, clothing, education
Improved literacy, failed in most other areas Disliked by Southerners, Pres. Johnson

President Andrew Johnson

Tennessee Democrat chosen by Lincoln to balance ticket in 1864 election
Was only Southern Congressman to not secede

Disliked by both North and South Stubborn, confrontational, shorttempered white supremacist

The Reconstruction Plan

Lincolns plan: The 10% Plan
Southern states could rejoin the U.S. after 10% of the voters take oath of loyalty and respect for emancipation

Plan seen as very forgiving Radical Republicans wanted to punish South

Propose Wade-Davis Bill up to 50%, add laws to protect freed blacks Lincoln vetoes why?

The Reconstruction Plan

Lincoln assassinated Johnson adds some changes:
Former Confeds cannot vote Secession ordinances repealed U.S. repudiated Confed debts States must ratify the 13th amendment
Outlaws slavery

Souths social structure & workforce demolished and disassembled

The Black Codes

White Southerners pass Black Codes
Laws designed to keep freed blacks under control of their white employers
Contracts forcing blacks to work for whites

Very discriminatory
Blacks given little rights, punishable offenses

Northerners outraged

Battle for Congress

North dominated Congress during war
Passed many major bills during war

Dec 1865 Johnson allows all Southern states to rejoin the U.S.
Southern politicians return to Congress
Could gain more representation now than before
Three-Fifths Compromise eradicated now

Johnson vs. Congress

Johnson vetoed all Republican bills
Civil Rights Bill grants blacks citizenship, weakens Black Codes

Congress creates 14th Amendment

Blacks get citizenship
Didnt guarantee suffrage

States lose Congressional representation if blacks were denied voting Confederate leaders banned from federal offices

Johnson battles Congress with round the circle speeches backfires Ratified by states in 1868

Congressional Reconstruction
Republicans now in control of Reconstruction
Split: Radicals vs. Moderates

Radical Reps:
Led by Sen. Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens
From Sumner-Brooks Affair (1856)

Wanted a slow Reconstruction to institute major social and economic changes to South

Moderate Reps:
Wanted a more hands-off approach to Reconstruction

Both groups wanted black suffrage

The Reconstruction Act

Passed March 1867 Divides South into 5 military districts
Army occupied each to maintain order

Southern states not fully readmitted to U.S. until:

14th Amendment is ratified Black suffrage guaranteed
Radical Reps pass 15th Amendment in 1870 to ensure suffrage cannot be removed

Progression of Black Rights

13th amendment abolishes slavery 14th amendment makes ex-slaves citizens 15th amendment protects black suffrage

14th Amendment
The right to vote at any election is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged (if violated) the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

15th Amendment
The rights of citizens of the U.S. to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

What is controversial about the language used in the 14th and 15th amendments?

Women Suffrage

14th amendment refers to citizens as males 15th amendment claims voting cant be denied by race, color, or previous servitude
Women outraged, feel left out, see opportunity

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony lead womens movement

Fought to keep these amendments from entering Constitution without guaranteeing womens suffrage

Failed amendments passed

Reconstruction in Action
Blacks begin to organize, create Union League
Web of associations working together to help black communities, consolidate political power, etc. Many white southerners temporarily unable to vote leads to blacks gaining power politically Hiram Revels becomes first black Senator (1870)

 White Southerners infuriated

Blacks freed, serving over whites in Congress and state legislatures Scalawags whites who were sympathetic towards North Carpetbaggers Northerners who moved to South after the war
Some came to help, some came to profit, some swindled

Underground movement among White Southerners gaining strength

 The Ku Klux Klan

The Invisible Empire of the South Formed in Tennessee (1866) Thrived on fear, unknown membership Threatened, lynched, murdered blacks Effective in slowing down black progress

Southern White Retaliation

White Southerners use political tricks to disenfranchise blacks

Started literacy tests as requirement to vote
Targets illiterate blacks problem?

Add grandfather clauses to protect illiterate whites

Allows voting rights to any citizen whos grandfather could vote

Congress vs. Johnson

Johnson impeding Congressional Reconstruction
Radical Reps plot to impeach Johnson

Pass Tenure of Office Act (1867)

President needs Senate approval to fire anyone who had been previously appointed to him Rational: Senate approves appointees when hired, thus should approve when fired Johnson wants to replace Sec. of War Edwin Stanton
Appointed by Lincoln Conspiring against Johnson with Radical Republicans

Lose-lose for Johnson, Win-Win for Congress:

Allow Stanton to stay Radical Reps happy Fire Stanton breaking the law, could be impeached

Impeachment?
Johnson fires Stanton in 1868 Congress votes to impeach Johnson on high crimes and misdemeanors
Generally due to all of Johnsons misdoings during Reconstruction, specifically due to firing Stanton

Impeachment trials:
Johnson remains silent His lawyers argue he was acting under Constitution, not Tenure of Office Act Senate needs 2/3 to support impeachment, fall short by one vote Johnson remains in office Radical Republicans claim the non-guilty verdict as a dangerous precedent

 Russia willing to sell Alaska William H. Steward Johnsons Sec. of State

Expansionist, pushed for purchase of Alaska

Purchase of Alaska

Unpopular campaign
Sewards Folly, Sewards Icebox Eventually gains enough support in Senate

Purchased for $ 7.2 million

Seward scorned for purchase Adds to Johnsons unpopularity Vindicated long after death gold and oil discovered

Legacy of Reconstruction
Reconstruction just as bad as the war for South Causes decades of animosity
Loss of infrastructure, economy, political power, massive physical destruction

Emancipation gives somewhat false hope to blacks

South felt beaten down, humiliated Civil War referred to as War of Northern Aggression Progress made with 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments But in some cases, had it better in antebellum times Violence, tricky politics keep blacks down
Significant progress not made again until the 1950s and 60s

The Gilded Age (1870-1900)

Gilded Covered thinly with gold paint

Times appeared great

Railroads Industry booms Westward Expansion Relative Peace Wealth

but numerous problems:

Corruption Crooked business practices Tight and chaotic political races Ethnic conflict Wealth Gaps

Political Division of the Gilded Age

Republicans:
Supported in North and West Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)
Military veteran group devout to Republican party

Allude to Puritan ancestry Most political power after Civil War

Democrats:
Supported mostly by the South Supported by Lutherans and Catholics Very little political power after Civil War

Various political parties emerge during era in response to problems of the Gilded Age: corruption, economy, labor rights, etc.

Election of 1868
Ulysses S. Grant vs. Horatio Seymour

Grant and the Republicans (Radical):

Radicals needed a strong president to enforce their policies Grant had no political experience Reps. relying on what? War-hero, slogan: wave the bloody shirt
Hoping military heroics would be enough to win election

Seymour and the Democrats:

Seymour a former Governor from NY Party extremely disorganized
Agreed on only one thing:
Dislike of military Reconstruction

Grant narrowly wins election what does this imply?

Political campaigns now tightening up, more efficiently run

Grants Reconstruction
Implemented Radical Rep policies of Reconstruction Protection of equal rights for blacks
Civil Rights Act (1875)

Creates Dept. of Justice

Helps prosecute KKK leaders, members

Used military to:

Enforce fair voting practices Quell KKK violence

Grants support would slowly decline during terms:

Why? Mission already accomplished: many felt Reconstruction was largely complete by 1870 Corruption

Corruption
Time period AKA The Era of Good Stealings Widespread corruption after Civil War JubileeJim Fisk & Jay Gould:
Caught with scheme to cornerstone gold market

Boss Tweed:
Ran Tammany Hall, a political organzation in NYC Bribes, rigged elections, cronyism Prosecuted by Samuel J. Tilden

Corruption
Credit Mobilier scandal:
Railroad company caught fixing hiring process to get paid double Bribed Congressmen and VP Schuyler Colfax with stocks

Whiskey Ring:
Revenue from liquor tax being stolen Large ring of government workers & Grants secretary Grant: Let no man escape doesnt prosecute secretary

William Belknap:
Grants Sec. of War caught swindling $24,000 from Indians

Grants Presidency
Grant a very honest man not involved in any scandals But still condemned as corrupt:
Major corruption in administration Failed to recognize it Failed to deal with it properly

Reformers form own party to combat crooked Republicans: Liberal Republican Party
Included both ex-Reps and exDems Main goal: clean up government corruption

Election of 1872
Ulysses S. Grant vs. Horace Greeley

Republican Grant tries for second term Horace Greeley nominee for Liberal Republicans Editor of NY Tribune, little political experience
Stubborn abolitionist, and harsh critic of Democrats Still gets support from Southern Dems why?
Soft on Southern Reconstruction Dems desperately eager to gain office

Extreme mudslinging:
Greeley called an atheist, communist, vegetarian, Confederate sympathizer Grant: drunk, stupid, swindler

Effects of Election of 1872

Popular vote was close enough to scare Reps Republican Congress begins to reform:
The Amnesty Act (1872)
Removed voting and office-holding restrictions on many ex-Confederates

Efforts to reduce tariff rates

Would help Southern economy

Clean up the corruption in Grants administration

Fired any workers involved in any past scandals

Panic of 1873
Industrialization of U.S. caused over-growth
Railroads & manufacturing boom

Economic downturns every twenty years in 1800s: (1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893) Panic of 1873: What caused it?
Over-speculation
Overspending, overinvesting with borrowed money Railroads and factories specifically

Banks giving too-easy credit

Young American industry hit hard Black communities hurt especially why?
Economic downturn less jobs last to be hired

Debate ensues on how to fix economy

Soft Money

vs.

Hard Money

AKA Cheap Money Policies keep amount of money stable by keeping it correlated Policies call for forced inflation with amount of gold Paper currency fluctuating Coin currency defined value value Inflation unfair: lent money Would ease debt payments of would be less valuable once masses paid back Supported by middle and lower Supported by wealthy, banks classes SOLUTION: Grant supports hard money policy, passes Resumption Act: Aimed to lower paper money in circulation & phase it out Backfires: starts contraction amount of money in circulation decreases worsens recession value of dollar bill increases Greenback Labor Party emerges in 1878 main goal: CHEAP MONEY POLICIES

Election of 1876
Grants two terms complete Republican split redevelops:
Stalwarts (Radicals) led by Roscoe Conkling Half-Breeds (Moderates) led by James G. Blaine

Agree to nominate Rutherford B. Hayes

The Great Unknown Neutral Republican From Ohio (important swing state)

Democrats nominate Samuel Tilden

Famous for prosecuting Boss Tweed

Election of 1876
Rutherford B. Hayes vs. Samuel Tilden

Tilden gets 51% of popular vote, but falls one electoral vote short of winning election But 20 votes disputed due to questionable process of return and handling Near chaos ensues:
Both Reps and Dems send officials to investigate
Both sides claim victory

Recount called for but who in Congress would count?

Democratic majority in House, Republican majority in Senate

Congress creates Electoral Count Act which sets up commission of 15 men to solve crisis problem?
Uneven number: 8 Republicans, 7 Democrats

Republicans claim victory, Democrats filibuster to stop process

 North gets:
Hayes elected as Republican president

Compromise of 1877

South gets:
Removal of military occupation

Reconstruction now officially over Effects of Compromise of 1877:

Southern blacks unprotected now White Southerners regain more political power
Civil Rights Act of 1875 significantly cut back Pass Jim Crow Laws

Jim Crow Laws

Many laws created to keep blacks in subservient role in South
Many blacks were sharecroppers: Farmed land they didnt own, paid landlords with crops System abused, designed to keep blacks poor

Jim Crow Laws Many states had begun to legalize segregation constitutional? Forced segregation in all public facilities:
Schools, theaters, restrooms, transportation

Violation could result in fines, imprisonment, violence Mob lynchings peak during this era 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court ruled it legal separate but equal

Separate Yes but Equal?

Class Conflict
1877 4 largest railroad companies agree to cut wages by 10%
Workers strike, railroads shut down Cripples industry, transportation Hayes uses federal troops to suppress violent strike Several weeks pass workers lose

Shows weakness of labor movement

 Chinese immigration
Many young, poor Chinese men emigrate to California Find jobs building railroads Job competition with Irish Chinese willing to work for lower wages

Ethnic Conflict

San Francisco Denis Kearney forms Irish gang

Terrorizes Chinese community

Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

Immigration from China cut off First immigration restriction in America

Why were the Chinese targeted?

Election of 1880
Reps nominate James A. Garfield
Dark horse from Ohio Running mate: Chester Arthur (a Stalwart)

Dems nominate Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock

Civil War veteran, no political experience

Popular vote close, but electoral vote gives Garfield the win

Garfields Presidency
Heated feud between Stalwarts and Half-Breeds
Hindered any progress for Garfield

July 1881 Garfield assassinated

Shot by Charles J. Guiteau (Stalwart) Dies in September VP Chester Arthur (Stalwart) takes over

President Chester Arthur

A Stalwart, but more reformminded than other Stalwarts (1883) Pendleton Act passed
Political reform calling for merit based hiring for government jobs Civil Service Commission created to enforce act Effects: Only applied to 10% of federal jobs but
Stopped worst offenses of cronyism Stepping stone to future reform

Election of 1884
Reps nominate James G. Blaine
Half-Breed leader Blaine not very reform minded Reps wanting reform abandoned and supported Dems
Mugwumps

Dems nominate Grover Cleveland

From New Jersey, but supported by South Seen as a man of principle, honest

Extreme mudslinging Cleveland wins very close election

President Grover Cleveland

First democrat elected since 1857 (James Buchanan)
Democratic majority in Congress

Believed in laissez-faire capitalism

Pleased big businesses, upsets working class

Names two former-Confeds to cabinet

Aims to mend North and South

Wants to follow merit system

But pressure mounts from Dems Replaces 40,000 Reps with Dems

Military pensions
Powerful G.A.R. pushing bills to raise already high pension Many passed seen as exploitation Cleveland (not a veteran) in tough spot: Doesnt want to disrespect and outrage veterans Vetoes many pension bills

President Grover Cleveland

Budget surplus
Extra money in government budget from high tariff

Two options to use it:

Invest it Lower taxes

Chooses to lower the tariff Reps, Dems, businesses Who supports this? Who doesnt?
Dems support lowered tariff Reps and business owners support higher tariff

Debate ensues, leads into election of 1888

Election of 1888
Dems nominate Cleveland Reps nominate Benjamin Harrison
From Indiana Grandson of Old Tippecanoe

Benjamin wins very close race

Return of a Republican Congress

Republicans win back power in Congress Elect Thomas Czar Reed as Speaker of the House
Ran House like a dictator Tall, tough debater, vicious rhetoric Dems resist, refuse to answer roll call No roll call = no quorum = no meeting

Return of a Republican Congress

Republicans win back power in Congress Elect Thomas Czar Reed as Speaker of the House
Ran House like a dictator Tall, tough debater, vicious rhetoric Dems resist, refuse to answer roll call No roll call = no quorum = no meeting Reed changes role call stipulations and proceeds with meetings

With no opposition in the House:

More hard money policies enacted Military pensions increase

1890 McKinley Tariff

Increases tariff to 48%

Political Discontent
1892 Populist Party emerges
AKA Peoples Party

Demanded:
Mostly inflation and cheap money policies Graduated income tax Higher salary = higher income tax More government regulation on big business Direct election of U.S. senators Initiative and Referendum
The people can propose laws, vote to pass them

Shorter working day Immigration restrictions

Who does this party represent?

Farmers, working class, common people

Election of 1892
Dems nominate Cleveland again Reps nominate Harrison again Populist Party nominate James B. Weaver
Southern support why?
Farmers, targeted Northern business

South withdraws support from Populist ticket go back to Dems why? Populist party tried to help blacks vote upsets white Southerners

Cleveland wins election Populist Party does relatively well in election Threatened white southerners tighten black voting rights
Literacy tests and grandfather clause

Clevelands 2nd Presidency

Depression of 1893 hits ironic?
Cleveland now has budget deficit, not a surplus Gold supply dangerously low

Cleveland makes deal with J.P. Morgan and other bankers

Loan U.S. $65 million in gold to fix problem

Cleveland loses popularity

Image of common mans president takes hit with JP Morgan deal Promises to lower taxes fail with weak Wilson-Gorman Tariff
Looked like Cleveland was helping rich, not the poor