They passed the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to guarantee equality under the law and the right to vote.
Both amendments counteracted efforts by the President, the southern states, and the courts to block Congress's Reconstruction program.
During the early Reconstruction Era, Republicans were divided primarily over how to handle the integration of Southern states back into the Union and the status of freed African Americans. Radical Republicans advocated for stringent measures, including civil rights protections and military oversight in the South, while moderate Republicans sought a more lenient approach to restore order and promote reconciliation. Additionally, debates over land redistribution and the extent of federal intervention in state affairs further exacerbated these divisions. This conflict ultimately influenced the direction of Reconstruction policies and the long-term implications for African American rights.
The Constitution cannot be amended if sufficient agreement is not reached. There are two methods of amendment, both requiring defined levels of agreement between the states and the Congress. If agreement is reached, the amendment is adopted. Amendments can also be repealed by the enactment of a further amendment.
The plan for Reconstruction changed primarily due to political shifts and the complexities of integrating formerly enslaved individuals into society. Initially focused on leniency and rapid reintegration of Southern states, the approach shifted as violence against Black Americans and resistance from Southern whites escalated. The rise of the Radical Republicans, who advocated for more stringent measures to ensure civil rights and federal oversight, further altered the course of Reconstruction. Ultimately, the combination of political compromises, economic challenges, and social unrest led to a less effective and more fragmented reconstruction effort.
Nope, National government has sovereign power over State government. Wrong. The Constitution gives Congress very little power over state governments. The Constitution provides a list of powers reserved to Congress (post offices, a navy, foreign treaties, etc) and specifies that all other powers - without limit - are reserved to the states. So there are few areas for dispute between Congress and states, as long as neither intrudes on the legitimate issues reserved to the other. States DO have a huge potential power over the feds: States alone can amend the Constitution, and do so without interference by Congress. A Constitutional Convention of states could eliminate the Senate, make the President's term 23 months, or prohibit abortion nationwide. Once STATES vote to do that, feds must obey the revised Constitution without further discussion.
The U. S. Constitution requires that after a proposed Amendment to the Constitution is approved by at least 2/3 of each House of Congress and is presented to the states for ratification, a minimum of 3/4 of the states must ratify it for it to become part of the Constitution. When the U. S. Archivist reports that he/she has received the minimum number of ratifications required for acceptance of the proposal, it is immediately part of the Constitution with no further action required by Congress, the President or the Supreme Court. Of course a lawsuit may be filed if there is evidence that the ratification was not validly completed as required by the Constitution. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution was accepted by Congress and presented to the states for ratification in September 1789. It was not reported to have been ratified until more than 3/4 of the 50 states had ratified it, the 38th state doing so in May 1992. Since the Union consisted of eleven states at the time Congress approved the proposal, this suggests that the minimum number of states required for ratification continues to increase as the total number of states increases, becoming at least 3/4 of the new total with each new statehood grant.
Radical Republicans expanded their Congressional majority in the elections of 1866.
Federalists supported the acts. Democratic Republicans opposed them.
Andrew Johnson angered Congress primarily through his lenient approach to Reconstruction and his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. He frequently clashed with the Radical Republicans, who sought to impose stricter measures on the Southern states and protect the rights of freed slaves. His dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, a Radical Republican ally, led to his impeachment in 1868, as Congress viewed it as a challenge to their authority. Johnson's frequent vetoes of civil rights legislation further fueled tensions with Congress.
The Texas Constitution of 1866 was rejected by the Union primarily because it did not fully embrace the principles of the Reconstruction era, particularly regarding civil rights and the status of formerly enslaved individuals. The document failed to provide adequate protections for the rights of freedmen and did not repudiate secession or the debts incurred by the Confederacy. As a result, Congress deemed it insufficient for re-admittance into the Union, leading to further military oversight and the implementation of more stringent Reconstruction measures.
During the early Reconstruction Era, Republicans were divided primarily over how to handle the integration of Southern states back into the Union and the status of freed African Americans. Radical Republicans advocated for stringent measures, including civil rights protections and military oversight in the South, while moderate Republicans sought a more lenient approach to restore order and promote reconciliation. Additionally, debates over land redistribution and the extent of federal intervention in state affairs further exacerbated these divisions. This conflict ultimately influenced the direction of Reconstruction policies and the long-term implications for African American rights.
Texas wrote the 1866 and 1869 constitutions primarily to address the changes brought about by the Civil War and Reconstruction. The 1866 constitution aimed to reestablish a civil government in Texas and to comply with the requirements set by Congress to be readmitted to the Union, including civil rights provisions. The 1869 constitution, imposed under Radical Reconstruction, further expanded civil rights and centralized power in the state government, reflecting the influence of the federal government during this turbulent period. These constitutions were part of the broader efforts to reshape Texas's governance and society in the aftermath of the war.
The three branches of the government, including the two house congress, is laid out in the constitution. The powers of the congress are further detailed in the amendments to the same document.
In a word, antagonistic. Johnson got almost no support from Congress. Indeed, he was impeached by the House, and just one Senator less than 2/3 of the Senators voted to remove him from office. Johnson was from Tennessee and was viewed as a Confederate sympathizer, which to some extent he was. Unlike much of Congress, he did not want to punish the South further for their revolt.
The North reacted strongly against the Lecompton Constitution, viewing it as a pro-slavery maneuver that undermined the principles of popular sovereignty. Many Northern Democrats and Republicans opposed its legitimacy, arguing that it was created without genuine consent from the settlers in Kansas. The controversy contributed to increasing sectional tensions and ultimately played a role in the political realignment leading up to the Civil War. The rejection of the constitution by Congress further emphasized the divide between North and South.
The term "corruption" generally refers to unethical or illegal behavior, while "scalawag" historically referred to white southern Republicans who supported Reconstruction efforts after the Civil War. In the context of Reconstruction, some scalawags were accused of engaging in corrupt practices to further their political goals, leading to a connection between the terms in relation to political misconduct.
Unlike previous presidents, he did not think of himself as a servant of Congress, but rather as a servant of the people, charged to maintain and further their best interests. He was not ignorant of the powers of Congress as set up in the Constitution and he made serious and often effective efforts to maintain good relations with Congressmen.
President Andrew Johnson had little influence over Reconstruction policy due to his contentious relationship with Congress and his lenient approach toward the Southern states. His opposition to the more radical factions in Congress, who sought stricter measures for rebuilding the South and protecting the rights of freed slaves, led to a power struggle. Johnson's vetoes of key legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act and the Freedmen's Bureau, were overridden, further diminishing his authority. Ultimately, his inability to unite the government behind his vision for Reconstruction resulted in Congress taking control of the process.