Reconstruction

Johnson Appointed

Mar 27, 1862

When the Union troops advanced into Tennessee Lincoln appointed Johnson as military governor. Then, he was appointed as Vice President in 1864.

Lincoln Issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Dec 3, 1863

This proclamation would reconcile the South with the Union. Also, it would restore a regular government in those states.

Wade-Davis Bill

Jul 19, 1864

This bill was an alternative for Lincoln's plan. This bill required the majority of the adult white men in a former Confederate state to take an oath of allegiance to the Union.

Freedmen's Bureau founded

Mar 23, 1865

The Bureau had the task of feeding and clothing war refugees in the South. Also, the Bureau helper enslaved people find find work on plantations.

Lincoln Assassinated

Apr 9, 1865

Andrew Jackson became president. John Wiliksbooth, theatre performer, assassinated Lincoln.

Joint Committee on Reconstruction

Oct 29, 1865

This was created by the House and Senate Republicans. This was to help develop their own program for rebuilding the Union.

Black Codes

Dec 8, 1865

These codes were designed to restrict freed blacks activities. Also, they made sure of their availability as a labor force now that slavery had been abolished.

Johnson's Plan

Dec 16, 1865

This plan disenfranchised all former military and civil officers of the Confederacy. All people that owned property worth $20,000 or more and made their estates liable to confiscation.

Fisk School and University Founded

Jan 9, 1866

Schools were started for African Americans because they wanted to improve their lives by being educated. This historical black college and school was founded in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Civil Rights Act

Apr 15, 1866

The act granted citizenship and the same rights that white citizens had to all people in the United States, but not Native Americans. It also allowed African Americans to own property and stated that they were to be treated equally in court.

Ku Klux Klan Formed

May 6, 1866

Confederate soldiers in Pulaski, Tennessee started the organization. The goal of the group was to drive out the Union troops and carpetbaggers and regain control of the South for the Democratic Party.

Congress Passes 14th Amendment

Jun 27, 1866

This amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. "No state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property."

Cavalry in Units Formed

Dec 8, 1866

Most of the cavalry were stationed in the Southwestern U.S. The cavalry became known as "buffalo soldiers."

Military Reconstruction Act

Mar 7, 1867

This act sought to rebuild the governments of the southern states using the governments of the northern states ways. The South was divided into five districts.

The Tenure of Office Act

May 2, 1867

This act was really intended to limit the freedom of action of President Andrew Jackson.The act was a federal law that restricted the power of the President of the United States to remove certain office holders without the approval of the Senate.

Johnson Impeachment Trial

May 16, 1868

The Senate voted 35 to 19 that Johnson was guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors. They were one vote short. Some senators believed that it would set a dangerous precedent to impeach Johnson because he didn't agree with congressional policies.

The Election of 1868

May 21, 1868

The Republican convention nominated Grant to run for president. Grant won six Southern states and most of the Northern states.

First Black Senator

Feb 23, 1870

Hiram Revels of Mississippi elected to U. S. Senate as the first black senator. He was born a free black in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to parents of mixed ancestry.

15th Amendment

Mar 13, 1870

This amendment declared the right to vote to anyone. Many African Americans were brought into the political status for the first time.

The Enforcement Acts Formed

Jul 27, 1870

Congress passed three Enforcement Acts to deal with the violence in the South. The first act made it a federal crime to interfere with a citizen's right to vote.

Ku Klux Klan Act

Apr 20, 1871

This act prohibited the activites of the Klan. In the South there were many arrested, but only a few served time in prison.

Grant Re-Elected

Nov 5, 1872

Ulysses Grant led the North to victory in the Civil War, which sparked his reputation. Grant had no experience with politics, which divided the Republican Party and started public thought of Reconstruction.

The Panic of 1873

Sep 18, 1873

Turmoil started when the banking firm, Jay Cooke and Company, declared bankruptcy because of bad railroad investments. This panic forced smaller banks to close and the stock market to plummet.

"Whiskey Ring" Scandal Breaks

May 11, 1875

This started because William Belknap was impeached, but resigned before the Senate could try him. Government officials and distillers in St.Louis cheated the government by filling out false tax reports.

Haynes Named President

Mar 12, 1877

The outcome of the election is known as the Compromise of 1877. Many said there was a deal that had been made during the election, but historians don't know for sure.