HIS 405 Week 4 Disscussion: Civil War and Reconstruction

HIS 405 Week 4 Disscussion: Civil War and Reconstruction

Name

Chamberlain University

HIS-405 US History

Prof. Name

Date

Civil War and Reconstruction

1. The Civil War

During the Civil War, the North had several advantages, including a larger population, greater industrial capacity, and more resources. Conversely, the South relied on its better-equipped military, familiarity with local terrain, and a strong collective motivation to fight for their independence and way of life. The North’s growing immigrant population helped bolster its military, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors, while the inclusion of escaped freedmen in Union forces provided a reliable source of new recruits. Most manufactured goods, including essential supplies like gunpowder, came from the North, which also had a superior railroad system that facilitated the movement of troops and provisions. Furthermore, the North controlled a navy capable of blockading the South, restricting its access to crucial supplies, such as food and military equipment.

In contrast, the South benefited from experienced military leaders, well-trained soldiers, and local militias that were adept at guerrilla tactics and surviving off the land. Their intimate knowledge of the region’s geography—mountains and rivers—enabled them to evade Union forces and launch effective offensives. The South also enjoyed a strong sense of unity, which fueled their desire for independence and preservation of their lifestyle, whereas the North was more divided on issues like slavery and the war’s politics. Invading the South might also rally support from poor white southerners who might see the conflict as a struggle to defend their interests against wealthy slaveholders (Keene, 2011, p. 377).

2. Reconstruction

Lincoln, Johnson, and the Radical Republican Congress each had distinct plans for reintegrating the rebel states into the Union. Lincoln’s strategy aimed for reconciliation during the war to reduce hostilities, reunite the nation, and ease resentment. His Ten Percent Plan allowed for the pardon of most Southerners who supported the Union and emancipation, permitting states to form new governments after 10% of voters endorsed this.

Andrew Johnson’s approach sought to expedite the return of Southern governments and reestablish the Union by granting full amnesty to Southerners, restoring their property upon allegiance to the Union, although wealthy Confederate leaders had to personally request pardons. His plan also included appointing provisional governors, enabling states to hold conventions with delegates from pardoned citizens, while requiring support for the Thirteenth Amendment and state elections. This approach, however, allowed many former Confederate leaders to regain power, leading to the enactment of Black Codes that restricted the civil liberties of freedmen.

HIS 405 Week 4 Disscussion: Civil War and Reconstruction

The Radical Republicans, on the other hand, aimed to punish Confederate leaders and abolish slavery in the South. They insisted that new state governments could only be formed if a majority of voters signed an “ironclad” oath affirming they had not supported the Confederacy. Additionally, high-ranking Confederate officials had to forfeit their citizenship and voting rights. States could only seek readmission after demonstrating a commitment to Union principles over an extended period. Congress viewed Johnson’s lenient reconstruction efforts as insufficient and implemented measures to undermine his plan, rejecting the legitimacy of officials from Confederate states he deemed reconstructed and passing legislation like the Civil Rights Act to combat the ongoing oppression of freedmen in the South.

References

Keene, J. (2011). Civil War and Reconstruction. In The American Historical Association’s Guide to Historical Literature.