Chapter 15. Reconstruction

The Civil War left a country torn apart physically and politically. Reconstruction was an attempt to put our country back together again, but just like Humpty Dumpty, it was impossible. The politicians and people attempted to compromise and real progress was made for full equality for African Americans, but it was short-lived. Every political group (and sometimes every politician) had a different idea about how to make it work, but within a decade America moved on and left any attempt at Reconstruction behind.

The specific focus of this unit will be on:

A. Presidential and Radical Reconstruction

B. Southern state governments: aspirations, achievements, failures

C. Role of African Americans in politics, education, and the economy

D. Compromise of 1877

E. Impact of Reconstruction

 

Reading Assignments:

Textbook Chapters:

Ch. 15 Brinkley 14.pdf

 

Class Notes:  

Reconstruction Class Notes.pdf 

 

 

Homework Assignments: 

Printable copy of homework:

C15 Homework.pdf

 

Part 1 - Ideas/themes to know and include in your notes: 

Freedmen’s Bureau

Radical Republicans

Black Codes

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Fourteenth Amendment

Fifteenth Amendment

Tenure of Office Act

Scalawags and carpetbaggers

“Negro rule” 

Sharecropping 

Grant administration scandals

Panic of 1873 

“Seward’s Folly”

KKK

Enforcement Acts

Compromise of 1877

Convict-Lease system

Jim Crow

Plessy v. Ferguson

Ida B. Wells

 

Part 2 - Short Answer Question: Answer all parts of the question in full. 3/4ths page minimum response. 

1. How did the federal government role in race relations change after the Civil War? Provide specific examples to support your response.

 

 

Part 3 - Vocabulary: These words are from the chapter, class readings, or discussion and will be used in context or need to be defined on the weekly chapter quiz.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/

amnesty

ardent

blatant

concession

demeaning

intemperate

lien

pejorative

per capita

prerequisite

stringent

tenure

tribunal

vacillate

 

Definitions: Fill in the correct word that matches the definition listed. 

1.___________________(v.) to waver in mind, will, or feeling: 

2.___________________(n.) a word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is meant to belittle

3.___________________(adj.) lacking in moderation or limits

4.___________________(n.) a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen

5.___________________(adj.) marked by strict rules or standards

6.___________________(n.) a court or forum of justice, often not a formal civil court

7.___________________(adj.) per unit of population: by or for each person

8.___________________(n.) a right to keep the property of a person until a debt owed by that person is paid off

9.___________________(adj.) completely obvious or obtrusive especially in a crass or offensive manner

10.__________________(n.) a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; a thing allowed

11.__________________(n.) an official pardon granted to a large group of people

12.__________________(adj.) characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager, zealous support

13.__________________(n.) the term of holding something (such as a landed property, a position, or an office)

14.__________________(adj.) damaging or lowering the character, status, or reputation of someone or something 

 

Synonyms: Choose the word or form of the word from the vocabulary words that is the same or most nearly the same in meaning. 

15. ______________ hesitate

16. ______________ insult

17. ______________ exacting

18. ______________ proportionately

19. ______________ compromise

20. ______________ disparaging

21. ______________ qualification

22. ______________ fervent

23. ______________ occupation

24. ______________ mortgage

25. ______________ excessive

26. ______________ immunity

27. ______________ flagrant

28. ______________ seat of judgement 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconstruction Socratic Questions: 

Your final answers must legible on a separate page. Use this page for notes. Think about the italicized questions to help you form your answers/opinions. Remember to justify your thoughts.

Literal (1-4 sentences/bullets)

1. How did Amendments 13, 14, & 15 benefit African Americans?

• Explain each one (13, 14, & 15).

2. What legal loopholes did Southerners create to resist African American equality?

• What limited African American freedom during Reconstruction?
• What segregated blacks & whites after Reconstruction?
• What are 3 ways African Americans were kept from voting?

Inferential (6-12 sentences)

3. How did Southerners feel about Reconstruction?

• Did all Southerners feel the same?
• Explain any groups that differed from the “norm” and how them expressed their views.

4. Which Southern loophole was the worst?

• Compare 3 of your answers for #3.
• Choose the worst one and justify your decision

5. Was Reconstruction a success or a failure? Did Reconstruction make life better or worse for African Americans?

• What are 2-3 successes?
• What are 2-3 failures?

 

Resources: 

PBS Website on Reconstruction:          http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/states/index.html  

Greg Feldmeth's Reconstruction Outline:      http://faculty.polytechnic.org//gfeldmeth/lec.recon.html

Digital History and Eric Foner's Reconstruction Website:      http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/reconstruction/index.html