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Radical Republicans
A faction of Republicans that wanted a complete and permanent end to slavery. They were present in all three phases of reconstruction. They were active from 1854-1877. -
Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan
President Abraham Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction after the Civil War. He wanted to end the war quickly, and did this by readmitting Southern states if 10% voters swore oath to the Union. -
Wade-Davis bill
A bill proposing for the reconstruction of the South by the Radical Republicans. It was intended to put a punishment in place for the admittance of the South into the Nation. It was part of the Radical Republican's reconstruction plan. -
Black Codes
Laws passed in the Southern states with the intent to restrict African American freedom. It compelled them to work in a low wage economy. They were passed during Johnson's reconstruction in 1865 and 1866. -
Sharecropping
a form of agriculture where a tenant works off of a landowner’s land. Tenants owned their own equipment but sharecroppers did not. Sharecropping was common during reconstruction from 1865-1877. -
Scalawags
White Southerners who supported the Union the Republican party and Reconstruction after the Civil War. They were around in all three phases of reconstruction. -
Special Field Order 15
Orders that were issued by General William T. Sherman to confiscate land in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida for former enslaved families to live in. It was part of Johnson's reconstruction plan. -
Freedmen's Bureau
A U.S. Agency that was established by President Lincoln to help provide necessities to freed slaves in the South. They gave food, water, clothing, and jobs to the refugees of slavery and dispersed 15 million rations of food. It was a part of Lincoln's reconstruction plan. -
Abraham Lincoln's death
The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth. Booth killed him because Lincoln abolished slavery, whereas Booth was a supporter of it.This event effectively ceased Lincoln’s reconstruction plan. -
The 13th Amendment
The amendment in the U.S. Constitution that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. It was part of Lincoln's reconstruction plan. -
Ku Klux Klan
A secretive oath-bound organization that often used violence. It was created in Tennessee by six Confederate Veterans. They were active during both Johnson's plan and the Radical Republican's plan from 1865-1871. -
Civil Rights Bill of 1866
A bill that proposed the idea that all citizens are protected equally by the law. It was enacted by Congress in an attempt to protect civil rights. It took place during Johnson's reconstruction plan. -
Reconstruction Act
These acts laid out the process of for readmitting Southern states into the Union, and were largely written by Radical Republicans. These acts were part of the Radical's plan. -
Impeachment of President Johnson
The House of Representatives decided to impeach Johnson using eleven articles of impeachment detailing his crimes. This ended his reconstruction plan. -
The 14th Amendment
The amendment in the U.S. Constitution that enforced citizenship laws. Anyone born in the U.S. would legally be a citizen which is cannot be interfered with by a state. It was part of the Radical Republican reconstruction plan. -
The 15th Amendment
The amendment in the U.S. Constitution that allowed people of color to vote. The Federal Government cannot deny a citizen the right to vote based on their race or color. This was part of the Radical Republican's plan. -
Enforcement Acts
Three bills passed that were criminal codes which protected African American’s right to vote, to holding office, serving in juries, and to receive equal protection laws. They were passed during the Radical Republican's reconstruction phase. -
Slaughterhouse Cases
A case in which the first use of the 14th Amendment occurred. It was an important case in the history of civil rights. It was part of the third phase of reconstruction. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
A Federal Law in response to civil rights violations to African Americans that would protect all citizens and rights, as well as equal access in public.This was part of the Radical Republican's plan. -
Compromise of 1877
An unwritten deal that settled the 1876 U.S. presidential election. The Federal Government pulled their troops out from the South and it ended the Reconstruction Era.
