how truly radical was radical reconstruction?

Answer 1

It was radical for its time. The agenda was to deprive supporters of the rebellion of their property and their political power; to give former slaves an education, property and voting power. To the Republicans in Congress this was a way to gain control over the South. They were thwarted by Johnson, a Southern former Democrat. The reconstruction policy was abandoned following the 1876 elections, as a compromise for keeping the White House.