How The Reconstruction Plans Backfired

Thoughtlessness from the North: How the Reconstruction Plans Backfired

Reconstruction? More like deconstruction. The reconstruction from the Civil War was a complete failure. It was more of a hindrance than a help. From the Lincoln plan to the Johnson plan, and even the Congressional plan was an utter abomination for the North and even the African Americans.

The first plan, the Abraham Lincoln plan, took place in 1863, right before he was killed. He wanted to do nothing about the four million slaves that were set free. Even though he was considered the “Great Emancipator” for the slaves. He also did not want to punish the defeated confederates, which caused a bit of an uproar in the North. He even allowed the confederate states to return

He was a bit insecure and he used this to torment the Confederate officials and officers. The Confederates had to personally appeal to him for pardon. This was a bit over the top on his part, but nonetheless 13,000 pardons were granted. He made the Confederate states agree to the 13th amendment. The 13th amendment said no slavery and outlawed slavery forever. Johnson also, did nothing with/for the freed slaves, like Lincoln. That means that the four million slaves still did not have a home or jobs. That four million African Americans were just wandering the streets and had no protection from the whites that still despised them. This only lasted for two years, 1865-1867. This plan only lasted two years because Johnson was a horrible president and the North was getting nowhere with the

The Congressional plan was created by the “Radical Republicans” which despised slavery and wanted to make the South pay for what they had done to the African Americans and their country. The Radical Republicans hated Lincoln for being a pushover, for not punishing the South. They also loathed Andrew Johnson. They thought he was the worst president of all time. The detested Lincoln and Johnson, so they rejected both of their plans. The Congressional plan was the only plan that helped the African Americans, but did they help them too much? The Radical Republicans gave the ex slaves clothing, tools, medicine care, and even education. Although, this was good for the African Americans, they may have gone overboard because there is still that satisfaction for providing for your own self and/or family. The ex slaves would never be able to anything for themselves. Also, there were poor whites that never got help from the government. The Congressional plan also put up military soldiers in five different locations throughout the South. This was quite ludicrous because if the South ever won a presidential election they would be furious with the North and their foolish soldiers. The Radical Republicans took them both too far, the helping of the African Americans and punishing the