Both moderate and radical republicans agreed that freed slaves should be given the right to vote?

Question

true or false?

Answer 1

True. Not initially, but by 1866 in reaction to the policies of Andrew Johnson and the perceived arrogance of Southern whites, both groups encouraged giving the franchise to blacks.

In fact, it was Senator Trumbull, a moderate Republican, who proposed the 14th Amendment. Though this amendment did not guarantee blacks the right to vote --that came later with the 15th Amendment-- it DID contain a provision that states NOT given all men [code language for 'including blacks'] the right to vote would have their Congressional representation proportionally reduced.

Background -- Johnson had required the Southern states ratify the 13th amendment, but allowed a very weak interpretation of it, winked at their new "black codes" which so restricted the freedom of blacks that it was in many respects like slavery. Their haste to do so made it clear to the North that they had no intention at all of honoring or protecting the rights of blacks.

To Northerners (NOT just "Radical Republicans") the South was acting as if had WON the war! Various types of legislation were passed to try to safeguard the rights of the freedmen.. and most Republicans came to believe the granting the freedmen the vote would given THEM the political power to be able to protect their OWN rights.

Answer 2

What your history lesson has missed is that the Democrats who opposed emancipation and started the Klan were the southern conservatives who left the democrats over the civil rights legislation of the 1960s and found a new home in the Republican Party. Your premise is therefore too flawed to be credible. Buying a Super Bowl ring doesn't make you the champion, and co opting a party does not credit you with its former accomplishments. As for President Obama, the man would not be in the White House had the Republican Party not betrayed its traditional conservative voters by wallowing in the horse excrement of evangelical fascism. When the GOP nominated yet another apologist for the extreme right it drove the moderates who provided the Republican majority to vote Democrat. Obama would not be President if the alternative had not been so unacceptable. Blaming the voters is stupid, because YOU picked your candidate. We simply picked the least objectionable of the two options provided. Whining about Obama is also stupid, because he is still making more sense than Senator McCain and his insistence that our finance problems can be solved by more tax cuts! Since you Republicans proved you could not do the job we got someone else. He still hasn't passed the probationary period, but so far he, at least, is making an honest effort. I am not thrilled, but as I said I was only given two choices.

Answer 3

Moderate Radical Republicans