Introduction
Civil War
At the outset of the Civil War, both the Union and Confederate sides held certain advantages that contributed to their belief in an imminent victory. The Union, representing the North, possessed several key advantages. Firstly, the North had a significantly larger population than the South, providing a larger pool of potential soldiers to draw from. This demographic advantage translated into a greater number of troops on the battlefield. Additionally, the North had a more developed industrial base, allowing for the mass production of weapons, ammunition, and other necessary supplies for the war effort. This industrial capacity gave the Union a distinct advantage in terms of resources.
Furthermore, the North benefited from an advanced transportation system, including a vast network of railroads that facilitated the movement of troops and supplies across long distances. This logistical advantage enabled the Union to quickly mobilize and deploy its forces, reinforcing its military capabilities.
On the other hand, the Confederacy, representing the South, had its own set of advantages and reasons for confidence. Southerners held a strong sense of regional identity and patriotism, believing in their cause and the righteousness of their fight. They drew inspiration from their successful struggle against British rule in the American Revolution and believed they could similarly triumph over Northern opposition.
HIS 405 Week 4 The Civil War and Reconstruction
The South adopted a defensive strategy, aiming to wear down the Northern forces and exploit their familiarity with the local terrain. They believed that their determination, knowledge of the land, and ability to sustain a protracted conflict would eventually lead to victory. Additionally, the South hoped to secure international support, particularly from Britain, due to the economic significance of their cotton production. They believed that British reliance on Southern cotton would compel the British government to intervene on their behalf.
Reconstruction Era Started
After the war, differing visions for Reconstruction emerged among President Abraham Lincoln, President Andrew Johnson, and the Radical Republican Congress. Lincoln sought a relatively lenient approach to bring the rebel states back into the Union. His plan, known as the Ten Percent Plan, required only ten percent of each state’s voting population to take an oath of allegiance before being readmitted to the Union. Lincoln aimed to foster national reconciliation and a swift reintegration of the Confederate states.
However, with Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency and pursued a more lenient approach than the Radical Republicans desired. Johnson’s plan aligned with Lincoln’s vision, but he faced opposition from Republicans who sought a stricter and more punitive approach to Reconstruction.
The Radical Republican Congress, led by figures such as Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, had a fundamentally different agenda. They sought to ensure the political and civil rights of freed slaves, punish former Confederates, and enact sweeping social and economic reforms in the South. The Radical Republicans were concerned that Johnson’s policies would not adequately address the deep-rooted issues of slavery and racial inequality.
HIS 405 Week 4 The Civil War and Reconstruction
In response, Congress took control of Reconstruction by implementing its own plan, known as Radical Reconstruction. This involved the passage of significant legislation, such as the Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which divided the South into military districts and mandated new state constitutions guaranteeing civil rights and suffrage for African Americans. Congress also aimed to limit the power and influence of former Confederates by enacting the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, which granted equal protection under the law and voting rights to African Americans, respectively.
The aim of Congress was to ensure a more comprehensive and transformative approach to Reconstruction that would address the injustices of the past and secure the rights of freed slaves. Their efforts represented a significant departure from the more conciliatory approaches advocated by Lincoln and Johnson, reflecting a broader commitment to social and political change in the aftermath of the Civil War.
The fundamental conflict that ignited the Civil War centered on the question of whether the Southern states had the right to secede from the Union. President Lincoln made efforts to preserve the Union and prevent the states from leaving. In his speeches, he reassured the South that his administration would not interfere with their institution of slavery. Additionally, Lincoln sent supplies to Fort Sumter as a show of support for the federal presence, but the fort was attacked, triggering the outbreak of war.
HIS 405 Week 4 The Civil War and Reconstruction
During the course of the war, the Union, which had a significantly larger population and industrial capacity, emerged as the dominant force. The Union forces outnumbered and defeated the Confederate army in multiple battles. The Southern states suffered from invasions, leading to devastated land and a crumbling economy that relied heavily on the institution of slavery.
Following Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency and pursued a more lenient approach to Reconstruction. He adopted a similar plan to Lincoln’s, known as the 10% plan. Under this plan, if 10% of a state’s voters took an oath of allegiance and pledged support for emancipation, a new state government could be established. However, Johnson faced opposition from Radical Republicans who believed his plan did not do enough to address the concerns of freed slaves and ensure their rights and protections.
The assassination of Lincoln marked a turning point, as Congress took control of Reconstruction and pursued a more radical agenda. The Radical Republicans sought to enact comprehensive changes in the South, including protecting the civil and political rights of freed slaves and punishing former Confederates. They passed legislation such as the Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which divided the South into military districts and mandated the creation of new state governments that guaranteed civil rights and suffrage for African Americans.
HIS 405 Week 4 The Civil War and Reconstruction
The conflict between President Johnson and Congress over the aims and methods of Reconstruction ultimately led to a power struggle. Congress, driven by the Radical Republicans, aimed to shape the course of Reconstruction to address the systemic issues of slavery and racial inequality. Their efforts represented a departure from the more conciliatory approaches of Lincoln and Johnson, reflecting a desire for significant social and political transformation in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Summary
After assuming office, Andrew Johnson, a former slave owner, pursued a plan that offered pardons, amnesty, and property return to Southerners who pledged loyalty to the Union. This was his strategy to bring the states back into the Union. On the other hand, the Radical Republican Party aimed to grant voting rights to freed slaves. Ultimately, the Radical Republicans gained control and their agenda prevailed.
References
Keene, J. D., Cornell, S. T., & Donnell, E. T. (2011). Visions of America: A History of the United States (2nd ed.). [Vitalsourse]. Retrieved from
https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781269721387/cfi/6/2!/4/16/46/2@0:0
Ten Percent Plan. (n.p.). Retrieved from http://www.american-historama.org/1860-1865-civil-war-era/ten-percent-plan.htm
