ReconstructionReconstruction

Presidential ReconstructionPresidential Reconstruction

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ReconstructionReconstructionThe end of the Civil War was followed by a The end of the Civil War was followed by a period in which the Southern states were period in which the Southern states were gradually brought back into the Union. gradually brought back into the Union.

This period of rebuilding is called This period of rebuilding is called ReconstructionReconstruction..

Much of the South lay in ruins, and money was Much of the South lay in ruins, and money was scarce.scarce.

African Americans were free, but many were African Americans were free, but many were without food or shelter without food or shelter

JuneteenthJuneteenthBecause of distance and the war, many African Because of distance and the war, many African Americans did not immediately learn about the Americans did not immediately learn about the Emancipation Proclamation.Emancipation Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger and 1,800 Union troops landed at Galveston and 1,800 Union troops landed at Galveston and issued the proclamation.and issued the proclamation.

For enslaved Texans, June 19, 1865, was the For enslaved Texans, June 19, 1865, was the day they celebrated their freedom.day they celebrated their freedom.

This day of celebration became known as This day of celebration became known as JuneteenthJuneteenth..

Two Presidential PlansTwo Presidential PlansPresident Johnson set up a provisional government in President Johnson set up a provisional government in each Southern state.each Southern state.

The provisional government would govern until the The provisional government would govern until the state was readmitted. state was readmitted.

Johnston set certain requirements for voting. To Johnston set certain requirements for voting. To regain the right to vote, Southern citizens were regain the right to vote, Southern citizens were required to take an oath of allegiance to the United required to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. States.

People who had at least 20,000 in cash or property People who had at least 20,000 in cash or property would have to get a special pardon from the president.would have to get a special pardon from the president.

Once the people of the state met these requirements, Once the people of the state met these requirements, they could write a new constitution and elect their own they could write a new constitution and elect their own representatives. representatives.

Governor Hamilton Works to Restore Governor Hamilton Works to Restore StatehoodStatehood

President Johnson appointed Unionists to lead President Johnson appointed Unionists to lead the provisional Southern governments. the provisional Southern governments.

President Johnson appointed Andrew J. President Johnson appointed Andrew J. Hamilton as provisional governor. Hamilton as provisional governor.

The Freedmen’s Bureau Assists Freed The Freedmen’s Bureau Assists Freed TexansTexans

A Federal Agency known as the A Federal Agency known as the Freedmen’s Freedmen’s BureauBureau assisted many African Americans assisted many African Americans throughout the South. throughout the South. Former slaves were often referred to as Former slaves were often referred to as freedmen. freedmen. The Bureau’s job was to provide relief to the The Bureau’s job was to provide relief to the thousands of people who had been left thousands of people who had been left homeless by the Civil War. homeless by the Civil War. It was also the Bureau’s job to supervise the It was also the Bureau’s job to supervise the affairs of newly freed slaves in he Southern affairs of newly freed slaves in he Southern states and to manage Confederate land seized states and to manage Confederate land seized during the war. during the war.

The Freedmen’s Bureau Assists Freed The Freedmen’s Bureau Assists Freed TexansTexans

Oliver O. Howard, a Union Civil War general, Oliver O. Howard, a Union Civil War general, headed the Freedmen’s Bureau nationally.headed the Freedmen’s Bureau nationally.

General E.M. Gregory headed the Freedmen’s General E.M. Gregory headed the Freedmen’s Bureau in Texas. Bureau in Texas.

The Freedmen’s Bureau operated for almost 5 The Freedmen’s Bureau operated for almost 5 years. years.

It helped find jobs for freed Texans and issued It helped find jobs for freed Texans and issued food and clothing to the sick, aged, and poor. food and clothing to the sick, aged, and poor.

The Bureau established the first public schools The Bureau established the first public schools in Texas for African Americans children.in Texas for African Americans children.

Government Restored in 1866Government Restored in 1866In the fall of 1865, Governor Hamilton In the fall of 1865, Governor Hamilton appointed hundreds of state and local officers appointed hundreds of state and local officers to restore law and order in Texas. to restore law and order in Texas. Texas elected delegates to a convention to Texas elected delegates to a convention to write a new constitution for the state. write a new constitution for the state. The finished version of the constitution stated The finished version of the constitution stated that secession was illegal, slavery was that secession was illegal, slavery was abolished, and the state war debts were abolished, and the state war debts were canceled. canceled. It provided schools for African American It provided schools for African American children and extended certain legal rights to children and extended certain legal rights to African Americans, but did not give them the African Americans, but did not give them the right to vote.right to vote.

People on the MovePeople on the MoveOne of the tragic aspects of slavery was the One of the tragic aspects of slavery was the separation of family members.separation of family members.

The reunion of husbands and wives, and The reunion of husbands and wives, and parents and children produced joyful parents and children produced joyful celebrations.celebrations.

Unfortunately, many searchers were Unfortunately, many searchers were unsuccessful. unsuccessful.