US_Ch2_webquest

=**Reconstruction Web Quest**=


 * Task:** The period after the Civil War in which the nation had to come back together (North and South) and move on from the war years was known as Reconstruction. You are a U.S. Congressman in the post-Civil War time period. Therefore, you have a say in how to shape the Reconstruction period of American history.


 * Materials needed:** Blank paper (to record answers for web quest) and Note Packet (to take key notes - where it tells you to take notes).


 * Process:** First, go to your journal and answer the section 1 questions.

Next, follow through the web quest by explaining how you would vote and/or your stance on Reconstruction policies. Explain your stance and write an explanation of your stance (on a blank piece of paper).


 * __Running for Congress__: What was your stance on the post-Civil War time period when you were seeking a seat in the House of Representatives? Did you favor punishing the South or more peaceful, moderate reconstruction? Why? Did you favor full equality for the freed slaves or just freedom, but allowing segregation and discrimination? Why?

As you continue through the web quest giving your opinion on proposed legislation, be sure to vote based on your campaign stance.


 * __Wade-Davis Bill__: Proposal that would require the majority of the adult white males in a former Confederate state to take an oath of allegiance to the Union. Then, the state would hold a constitutional convention to create a new state government. Those chosen to attend such a convention would have to take an "iron-clad" oath to never fight against the Union again. Each state convention would have to abolish slavery and deprive all former Confederate government officials and military officers of the right to vote or hold office. Does it keep peace and equality or will it alienate Southerners and prolong reconstruction? How would you vote? Why?


 * __14th Amendment__: A proposed amendment to the Constitution that would say that anyone born in the U.S. would be a citizen. This would make former slaves citizens and therefore have all rights in the Constitution. How would you vote? Why?


 * __15th Amendment__: Right of blacks to vote. Would you vote yes or no? The question is over participation in government vs. whether or not the freed slaves would be informed enough to vote. How would you vote? Why?


 * __Freedmen's Bureau__: Would you favor the creation of an agency in the Department of War in charge of helping the freed slaves find homes, work, and any type of necessary aid? Such an agency would be part of the Executive Branch of government and under the authority of the President. Do you favor this bureau or will it force the former slaves to become too dependent on the government? Is the federal government able to handle control of the South in terms of reconstruction or would some other suggestion be more efficient? Why?


 * __Tenure of Office Act__: Do you support a law that would not allow the president to remove a cabinet secretary without the approval of the Senate? The president has the power to appoint cabinet officials and those appointees have to be approved by the Senate. This law would keep a president from removing a secretary without Senate approval for removal. Is this a good law that gives the Senate a check on government power or does it limit the president's power too much to change his advisers if he sees fit? How would you vote? Why?


 * __Civil Rights Act of 1875__: Do you favor this law, which required "full and equal treatment" to all persons of every race and decreed access to all public facilities and therefore the use of soldiers to enforce it? Why or why not?


 * __Amnesty__: A presidential pardon is eliminating punishment for a person who committed or may have committed a crime. Amnesty is a pardon for a whole group. The president has this authority, but as a representative in the House, do you favor granting amnesty to the Confederate soldiers, officers, and government officials? Why or why not?


 * __Impeachment__: President Andrew Johnson was against Radical Republican Reconstruction. He vetoed most of the Radical Republican bills that got to his desk, but the Radical Republicans had a 2/3 majority in both the House and the Senate and could override Johnson's vetoes. However, Johnson was still able to control the pace of Reconstruction since he was president and therefore commander-in-chief of the military - War Department controlled the Freedmen's Bureau and the South was divided into military districts. The Tenure of Office Act passed over Johnson's veto. The Command of the Army Act also passed over his veto, which prevented Johnson from sending away military personnel he didn't agree with. Johnson decided to challenge the Tenure of Office Act and removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and put in Ulysses S. Grant. However, it was rejected by the Senate, which put Stanton back in. Johnson again removed Stanton and this time replace him with Lorenzo Thomas. At the time, Johnson was within his authority since this had been done in the past, however the Tenure of Office Act wouldn't allow him to do so. Would you vote yes or no to impeach President Johnson, which would put him on trial in the Senate (the Senate would decide whether or not to remove him from office)? Why or why not?


 * __Legislating equality__: Do you think that laws to make equality a criminal issue are for the common good or do you think education of the former slaves would be better in terms of helping former slaves learn skills for jobs? Why?

BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE TWO REMAINING BULLETS, SEE HOW YOUR VOTES COMPARE TO WHAT TOOK PLACE IN HISTORY. Click here to view your vote based on what took place in history


 * __Southern response__: How do you think the South responded to Reconstruction legislation? Click here to see how close you were


 * __End of Reconstruction__: Why do you think Reconstruction ended? Click here to see how close you were


 * Conclusion:** Based on why you ran for Congress in the first place, are you happy or upset with Reconstruction overall now that it's ended? Why?

Back to U.S. History 1850 to the present Ch. 3 main page

Civil War Elective class - back to Ch. 6 main page