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35. Reconstruction

Two competing plans for the defeated South, a President impeached, and the old order rebuilt in a new form.

35. Reconstruction

National ArchivesAndrew Johnson was the only Southern Senator to remain loyal to the Union during the Civil War. As a reward, the pro-war Southern Democrat was…

35a. Presidential Reconstruction

White HouseAndrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, was pro-slavery throughout his career in the Senate and as the Military Governor of Tenness…

35b. Radical Reconstruction

In Baltimore on May 19, 1870, 20,000 participants celebrate the ratification of the 15th Amendment. The Radical Republicans believed blacks were entitled to th…

35c. A President Impeached

Johnson's response to his impeachment was, "Let them impeach, and be damned." In the spring of 1868, Andrew Johnson became the first President to be impeached…

35d. Rebuilding the Old Order

1872, P.B.S. Pinchback of Louisiana became the first black governor in America Many Southerners, whether white or black, rich or poor, barely recognized the wo…