Review Questions

Chapter 16 pages 520-537

1. In what ways did Lincoln and Congress battle each other in the question of supremacy during the end of the Civil War?  (this is in the end of  chapter 15)

2.  On page 522 the text list "immense achievements" of the Republican during the war.

What do you think about these achievements for the future of the nation?

3. What are the economic conditions of the North and South at war's end?

4. How did the freedmen react to their new status?

5. What were the immediate responses of white southerners to the changes? What were the "black codes"?

6. What was Andrew Johnson's plan for Reconstruction? Why did Congress reject Johnson's plan? What was the Congressional plan of reconstruction?

7. Why did Congress impeach Andrew Johnson? What view point does the text give of the impeachment?

8. Explain the meaning, the importance, and the means employed to gain ratification of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. The 14th amendment uses the phase, the states may not "... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Why is the term person not citizen used and why is this important today? The chart on page 531 shows final implementation and enforcement. Does this mean Reconstruction does not really take place until 1960's? What do you think?

9. How did the Republican Party leaders attempt to gain influence and political power for their Party in the South during Reconstruction?

10. Why did the 15th amendment upset women?

11. Black's do not get land as result of Reconstruction. Why is this a major failure that goes well into the next 100 years?

12. What was the purpose and role of Freedmen's Bureau? What were its successes and failures? Would you sign one of those Work Contracts?