Reconstruction

Topic 1 The definition of reconstruction is the reorganization and rebuilding of the former Confederate states after the civil war. During this period following the Civil War, two main questions arose. These were: Were the rebel states still apart of the Union? & Was the president or congress responsible for reconstruction. Both of these issues were addressed and solved by President Lincoln. There were many plans of reconstruction; the first of these was Abraham Lincoln’s plan. His plan consisted of the ten percent plan which required 10% of voters in a confederate state to take an oath of loyalty to the union. After this oath was taken, confederate states could adopt a constitution that banned slavery. Another plan of reconstruction was written by Radical Republicans called the Wade-Davis Bill. It called for a harsher plan of reconstruction which included the same oath of loyalty as Lincoln declared and that constitutional conventions could only be held by white males who swore they hadn’t taken up arms against the Union. These men who qualified were the only one’s who could vote for delegates in the convention. As well as these few restrictions, former confederate states had to adopt a new state constitution that abolished slavery. Finally the last Reconstruction plan was by Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s vice president. Johnson’s plan called for the same oath of loyalty; however former confederate leaders and wealthy plantation owners had to take the oath by personally applying to the president. As a final requirement, a state could only reenter the Union if it’s constitutional convention ratified the 13th amendment and abolished slavery. Berard, Gerry (2002). Civil war reconstruction plan. Retrieved May 7, 2009, from essortment Web site: [] Appleby, Joyce (2003). //The American Republic to 1877//. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.