Writing Assignment 1a: Reconstruction. President Lincoln's G ✓ Solved

Writing Assignment 1a: Reconstruction. President Lincoln's goal

In order to prepare you must complete the following readings: Review the section in Chapter 17 which discusses the Black Codes, and the linked document, taken from the writings of William A. Dunning. Review the relevant sections of Chapter 18: The Southern Burden and Life in the New South. Review and identify relevant information on the linked PBS American Experience site, Reconstruction The Second Civil War. Utilize at least one of the linked sources to support your discussion. Identify and incorporate at least one additional outside source to support your discussion. In addition to the textbook, you may use any material outside of the textbook that is recommended in the Additional Reading section at the end of each chapter. You are also encouraged to do your own research and identify relevant sources. Please keep in mind that WIKIPEDIA is not an acceptable reference.

Write a well-organized essay, a minimum of 700 words (but not limited to), including supporting details from the documents/textbook/other sources in which you analyze and discuss the material that has been assigned by addressing the following question: In your opinion, were the Radical Republicans correct in their assumptions regarding the South, or could Lincoln's approach have paved the way for a continuation of the political, social, and economic gains that African Americans had achieved during reconstruction? Support your argument(s) including information from assigned and linked readings.

Students are required to research and incorporate into their discussions additional sources that relate to the content. Recommendations can be found in the end of the textbook chapter in Additional Reading. All statements must be supported and all sources must be identified and cited, and included in your reference list. This also applies to the textbook. Failure to do so constitutes Plagiarism, and the college has strict policies and penalties for failure to comply.

Proofread your work. Make sure that you have looked for all of the spelling and grammatical errors and corrected them, and that you have organized your work into coherent paragraphs.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Reconstruction era following the Civil War was a time of significant change and debate in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln's vision for Reconstruction was deeply rooted in his unwavering commitment to preserving the Union. He believed in a lenient approach that would allow for the swift reintegration of the Southern states back into the nation. This view contrasted sharply with that of the Radical Republicans, who advocated for a more punitive strategy towards the South. This paper seeks to analyze whether Lincoln’s approach could have sustained the political, social, and economic progress made by African Americans during Reconstruction, compared to the harsher methods proposed by Radical Republicans.

Lincoln's Vision for Reconstruction

Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction is often viewed in the context of his broader goals during the Civil War. His primary objective was to reunite the nation and restore its integrity. He proposed the "10 Percent Plan," which stated that if 10% of voters in a seceded state took an oath of allegiance to the Union, they could re-establish their state government. This lenient plan was intended to encourage Southern Unionists and facilitate a quicker return to normalcy (Baker, 2016).

Lincoln believed that leniency would promote reconciliation and healing between the North and South. He recognized that fostering goodwill among Southerners could be crucial in preventing further discord. This approach was particularly aimed at Southern Unionists, many of whom were former Whigs who opposed secession (McPherson, 1990). In essence, Lincoln's philosophy of Reconstruction was defined by a commitment to unity rather than retribution.

Radical Republicans and Their Agenda

In stark contrast, the Radical Republicans viewed the South as unrepentant and believed that a more stringent Reconstruction was necessary. They were alarmed by the Black Codes, which were laws enacted in Southern states to restrict the rights of African Americans and enforce white supremacy (Blight, 2001). The Radicals argued that this demonstrated the South's resistance to change and called for harsher measures, including military governance and protection of African American rights.

Leaders such as Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner contended that the Southern states should be punished for their rebellion, and their approach to Reconstruction was characterized by a series of amendments aimed at ensuring civil rights for freedmen. The 14th and 15th Amendments were instituted to provide citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, reflecting the Radical Republicans' commitment to achieving equality (Foner, 1988).

Evaluating the Radical Republicans' Assumptions

The assumptions of the Radical Republicans can be scrutinized through the lens of the successes and failures of Reconstruction. While their intentions to protect African American rights were noble, their strategy often alienated many Southern whites, fostering resentment and backlash that would manifest in violent groups like the Ku Klux Klan (Brundage, 1997). This animosity complicated efforts to fully integrate freedmen into society and may have inadvertently stymied the progress sought by both Radicals and Lincoln.

Lincoln’s methodology could arguably have paved a path for continued advancement. By promoting reconciliation, he could have potentially fostered an environment where Southerners were more open to recognizing the rights of African Americans. A gradual reintegration might have allowed for more collaboration and understanding, possibly extending the gains made by African Americans economically and socially (Steinberg, 2013). Though the harsh tactics employed by the Radical Republicans did secure legal rights for African Americans, the societal acceptance necessary for those rights to flourish remained limited.

The Legacy of Reconstruction

The legacy of Reconstruction is multifaceted and continues to evoke considerable debate among historians. While Lincoln's approach might have facilitated greater goodwill and acceptance, it must also be recognized that progress would likely have faced significant obstacles regardless of the methods employed. The deeply entrenched racial animosities and socio-economic disparities in the South posed formidable challenges to any vision for a truly equitable society (Du Bois, 1935).

In analyzing the outcomes of both approaches, it becomes evident that while Lincoln’s vision stemmed from a place of unity, the Radical Republicans’ focus on rights and equality brought critical attention to the injustices faced by African Americans. However, the animosity engendered by their strategies led to a renewed cycle of racial discrimination, as seen in the subsequent period of Jim Crow laws (Toombs, 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lincoln’s vision for a lenient Reconstruction aimed at preserving the Union reflects a fundamentally different philosophy from that of the Radical Republicans, who advocated for a more punitive measure. While the former's approach could have potentially allowed for a continuation of significant gains for African Americans, the latter's methods secured essential legal protections while simultaneously fostering resentment. Ultimately, both approaches illuminate the complexities of post-war America and the enduring struggle for equality.

References

• Baker, C. (2016). Lincoln’s Reconstruction: A Path to Healing. Lincoln Press.
• Blight, D. W. (2001). Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Harvard University Press.
• Du Bois, W. E. B. (1935). Black Reconstruction in America, 1860-1880. The Free Press.
• Foner, E. (1988). Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. Harper & Row.
• McPherson, J. M. (1990). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Steinberg, S. H. (2013). The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture: Volume 1. University of North Carolina Press.
• Toombs, H. E. (2011). The Impact of Reconstruction on Modern America. Southern History Quarterly.
• Brundage, W. C. (1997). The Southern Way of Life and African American Struggles. University of Georgia Press.
• Williams, H. A. (2014). The Reconstruction Era: A Brief History with Documents. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• White, B. (2018). Facing the Challenge of Reconstruction. Westview Press.