The Civil War remains to be one of the most important events and turning points in American history. Following the Civil War, came Reconstruction of the South; the North intervened once again after their defeat to rebuild the South. Many may argue the significance of Reconstruction, specifically the Radical Reconstruction. Was Radical Reconstruction really radical? Although progress was made and changes were put forth legally, the rep imbedded racism in the South stops the effectiveness of Radical Reconstruction. Through observations of the Slavery, the Civil War, the beginnings of Reconstruction, Presidential Reconstruction, and finally Radical Reconstruction, the title “Radical” might not appear to be so. The American Civil war began April 12th 1861, and ended on April 9th 1865. The victory of this war was the abolition of slavery in the South, put forth by President Abraham Lincoln. Shortly after the war had ended, President Lincoln was assassinated and Andrew Johnson took over office. Andrew Johnson claimed his political standing had lied in the Republican party, but this was an absolute lie.
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President Johnson was a a man born and raised in Tennessee, who had a deep prejudice towards African Americans. As soon as entering office, he supported the white South while doing close to nothing for the freed slaves. His favor towards the white South then radicalized ordinary white Republicans, therefore starting Radical Reconstruction. After winning most of the elections of 1866, the Radical Republicans acquired close to all control of policy in Congress. With the more moderate Republican friends, they also gained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which meant an abundant amount of say to override any vetoes by President Johnson. This was the beginning of Radical Reconstruction. During this time, the former slaves were inspired to have an outburst of political organization. Attending huge political meetings, the African Americans demanded equal citizenship. They demanded only the same rights as white men had and did not ask for anything more, but would not accept anything less. James D. Lynch was an important figure at the time who organized Republican meetings in the South. Plantation workers held strikes against low wages and demanded equal opportunity. Because of strong determination for their new lives of being free, and the desire to be equal, many African Americans joined the Union league, which was a program that was closely knit with the Republican Party. Now was the time when most eligible African American men registered to vote. Many African Americans were completely new and goal oriented people who now understood what their life should actually be, for example a former slaved named James K. Green went on to serve in the Alabama legislature. He was an example of a man who used to have the mind set that he must follow his master and there was no other purpose to life, but once the freedom bell rang in his heart, he realized this was not the case. But by only 1870, all of the Confederate states were readmitted to the union. All of them now, or nearly all lied under Republican control. They had new state constitutions which were drafted in 1868 and 1869 with the first public bodies with black representation in American history. This was marked as a huge improvement in African American society. Here is where the first state funded systems of free public education, new penitentiaries, orphan asylum’s, and insane asylum 's were created. The constitution of the states guaranteed equality for political and civil rights. For example, practices such as whipping for punishment of crime were abolished. African-Americans were now involved in politics of reconstructions and bulk of the Republican Party support came from African-American voters but they did not control politics, because opponents changed often; all high offices stayed in white power except in South Carolina which was a place where African-Americans were 60% of the population. The presence of black politicians with white alloys made a big difference in southern lifestyle. This insured the African Americans would be tried to forgeries if they were accused for crime which enforced fairness and local governments. Laws were passed making it illegal for hotels, railroads, and other institutions
President Johnson was a a man born and raised in Tennessee, who had a deep prejudice towards African Americans. As soon as entering office, he supported the white South while doing close to nothing for the freed slaves. His favor towards the white South then radicalized ordinary white Republicans, therefore starting Radical Reconstruction. After winning most of the elections of 1866, the Radical Republicans acquired close to all control of policy in Congress. With the more moderate Republican friends, they also gained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which meant an abundant amount of say to override any vetoes by President Johnson. This was the beginning of Radical Reconstruction. During this time, the former slaves were inspired to have an outburst of political organization. Attending huge political meetings, the African Americans demanded equal citizenship. They demanded only the same rights as white men had and did not ask for anything more, but would not accept anything less. James D. Lynch was an important figure at the time who organized Republican meetings in the South. Plantation workers held strikes against low wages and demanded equal opportunity. Because of strong determination for their new lives of being free, and the desire to be equal, many African Americans joined the Union league, which was a program that was closely knit with the Republican Party. Now was the time when most eligible African American men registered to vote. Many African Americans were completely new and goal oriented people who now understood what their life should actually be, for example a former slaved named James K. Green went on to serve in the Alabama legislature. He was an example of a man who used to have the mind set that he must follow his master and there was no other purpose to life, but once the freedom bell rang in his heart, he realized this was not the case. But by only 1870, all of the Confederate states were readmitted to the union. All of them now, or nearly all lied under Republican control. They had new state constitutions which were drafted in 1868 and 1869 with the first public bodies with black representation in American history. This was marked as a huge improvement in African American society. Here is where the first state funded systems of free public education, new penitentiaries, orphan asylum’s, and insane asylum 's were created. The constitution of the states guaranteed equality for political and civil rights. For example, practices such as whipping for punishment of crime were abolished. African-Americans were now involved in politics of reconstructions and bulk of the Republican Party support came from African-American voters but they did not control politics, because opponents changed often; all high offices stayed in white power except in South Carolina which was a place where African-Americans were 60% of the population. The presence of black politicians with white alloys made a big difference in southern lifestyle. This insured the African Americans would be tried to forgeries if they were accused for crime which enforced fairness and local governments. Laws were passed making it illegal for hotels, railroads, and other institutions