On what terms was the Confederacy be reunited with the Union?

Question

to be reunited*

Answer 1

In practice, there are TWO real answers -- two actual plans implemented after the war: "Presidential Reconstruction" (under Johnson) and "Congressional Reconstruction" (the so-called "Radical Reconstruction")

In one sense, this question had a LONG history. The term for it --"Reconstruction"-- actually began to be used during the 'winter of secession'. That is, shortly after the first Southern states seceded (even before they formed the Confederacy) efforts toward and discussions about how to "reconstruct" the Union were underway. But since the various pre-war efforts failed, this question is usually focused on that of what REQUIREMENTS the President and/or Congress would place on any particular state (and they were to be restored AS individual states, not as a unit) would be allowed to function as a full member of the Union, including the sending of representatives to Congress.

The various plans during the war are worth considering to understand the basic issues. Though they were never fully implemented, the MAIN questions --however answered -- were the same for ALL plans. They may be boiled down to

a) repudiation of their secession as unlawful -- this included rescinding the state's articles of secession
b) related to this, the repudiation of war debts (If the Confederacy was not legitimate, neither were its debts.)
c) pledges of loyalty
d) the acceptance of the END of slavery, and some basic agreement on the rights of freed slaves


(a) and (b) are fairly standard, and all would have expected them in ANY restoration. The problems came with (c) and (d), specifically in determining, 'How STRONG a pledge of loyalty?" and 'What sort of GUARANTEES of black rights?" must be required.


In the midst of the war Lincoln answered (c) with his"10% plan" which would only have required 10% of the voting population to swear FUTURE loyalty for the state government to be reorganized and accepted as legitimate. The other extreme was the "Wade-Davis Plan" which would have demanded an oath by a MAJORITY of PAST loyaty (that they HAD not supported secession). The first was too weak to last long, the second would probably have been impossible for most of the South.

As for (d) -- at first, most would have been satisfied with simple acceptance of black freedom. Indeed, when the war ended, President Johnson called on these states to simply accept the 13th amendment (then in the process of state ratification). BUT he made it clear he would accept a very NARROW view of the amendment... of nothing much beyond the end of slavery, without any great protections of legal, political or economic freedoms for those recently freed. The result was that Southern states agreed, but began to pass harsh "Black Codes" which defined the status of the freedmen in terms not all that different from earlier Slave Codes.

Johnson's implementation of (c) was likewise extremely friendly to the South. He required many Southern leaders to appeal to HIM for pardons, but was very quick to grant them. Result: Southern states quickly voted in governments and sent representatives to Congress who had been leaders in the secession movement and in the Confederacy.

____________

To many in the North, esp. the "Radical" Republicans, this was all a thumbing of the nose... and seemed to be simply giving to the South everything it had supposedly lost in the war. (Even worse, once the slaves were free the "3/5 Compromise" was no longer in effect. This meant that the Southern states could count ALL blacks in their census, and so be given MORE representation in Congress -- the same old group, not really changed in viewpoint, but given MORE power?!) They proceeded to push for stronger protections of black rights -- to which Johnson responded with angry vetoes and a vicious campaign against Radical Republican leaders (still a minority at that time).

Johnson's behavior alongside instances of Southern arrogance (including violent mistreatment of blacks) led to a Northern backlash as moderate Republicans joined the radicals, and voters sent a veto-proof Republican majority to Congress. Thus in 1867 the Radicals were able to put in place a much more demanding form of Reconstruction (though it did not, in the end, last very long in most states)... which included required support of the 14th and 15th amendments before states could be fully restored. (These amendments were to counter the Black Codes, guaranteeing civil rights, to grant freedmen the right to vote, and to prevent the 'top level' Confederate leaders from being allowed to serve in elective office.)

This plan included the division of the South into military districts whose commanders with their troops were to ensure the commitments were kept. (This meant, first of all protecting the GOVERNMENT, making e sure blacks and Republicans elected to office could participate, as well as resisting the KKK's terror tactics.)

In practice, the formal steps were all taken, but over time the North lost the will to continue fighting determined Southern resistance over ensuring black civil and voting rights. (Other factors -- Scandals in the Grant administration undermined its ability to enforce, and an economic depression beginning in 1873 sapped the willingness of Northern taxpayers to expend the resources.) Thus in the end all the states were restored but often without fully keeping demands beyond the basic repudiation of their secession (a given), and of the reality of slavery's end (that is, not much more than Johnson had required) . . . until a later generation rose to demand something more. . . .

Answer 2

At what point in time, and by whom? At the beginning of the war they could have just laid down their arms and come back. After the Emancipation Proclamation (1/1/1863) Lincoln said they had to accept emancipation, but the Democrats said they would repeal the Proclamation. After Lincoln was shot Congress and President Johnson got in a wrangle about terms for reunification, eventuating in Johnson's impeachment.

Answer 3

Wow JK,
You asked a terrific question and got some excellent answers based on historical facts and records.
I would just like to add that there are still active secessionists who advocate a separate southern nation. (as well as encouraging any other northern state or groups of
states to secede if they feel impelled politically.)

Maybe the reunification is only a temporary period of our national history. And our perspective is limited as we might not be able to appreciate what the future may bring.

My opinion is that there will always be a very individualistic and rebellious mindset in America. And who knows what may happen if the fabric of our society should break down to
the point of an absolute and irrevocable partisan impasse?

****************************************************
pls pic mine 4 bst answr
thin-Q
u r sweet if u do

Answer 4

properly you spot to advance the value of the terabyte voltage meter, all you will desire to do is twist the ampage knob to the final quite. Then, when you pay attention a reasonable click, you would be attentive to that it somewhat is working. proceed to connecting the coppper cord to the 0.5 volt processing unit jointly as slowing pumping the leveraging grease fluid so as that the engine does not ignite. remember you will desire to no longer connect the blue cord to the fairway. supply it a jiffy and the alleviated alteriors positioned up modulating contraption would desire to be waiting and rearing to circulate.

Answer 5

Secession had to be totally repudiated, and all forms of slavery had to be eliminated

Answer 6

Lee said "Raise your sons to be Americans."