Reconstruction in USA laid new platform for the development of the South.It started in 1865.

1. History of the United States of
America (A.D 1865 to 2000)
Dr.S.Lalitha
Associate Professor of History
V.V.V.College for Women
Virudhunagar

3. Reconstruction of the South
Introduction
The American Civil War was
a civil war fought in the United States
from 1861 to 1865, between the North
and the South. The Civil War began
primarily as a result of the long-
standing controversy over the
enslavement of black people.

4. The biggest result was the end to
slavery. The 13th Amendment called
for the abolishment of slavery, and it
was in support of President Lincoln's
Emancipation proclamation

5. After the Civil War two major
problems faced by the country.
Political problem
It related to restoration of rebel
states to their former status
Re establishment of legally constituted
government
Economic problem
It related to rehabilitation of freed
blacks

6. Problems of Reconstruction
Radical Republicans
Led by Thaddeus Stevens
Charles Summer
decided to treat the southern States as
conquered territories.
Federal Governments
Led by President Lincoln
Vice-President Johnson
wanted to ignore secession so as to get the
southern states back into their union.

7. Two stages of Reconstruction
Presidential Reconstruction
Lincoln – Ten Per Cent Plan
Johnson Plan
Congressional Reconstruction
Committee of Fifteen - 1867
Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution
-1870

8. Congressional Reconstruction
•Stevens and Summer appointed a
Committee of Fifteen
•Extended the tenure of Freedmen Bureau
•Passed Civil Rights Act 1866
•Congress accepted the
Fourteenth Amendment
provided equal protection before law for
the Blacks

9. Reconstruction Programmes
Rebuild the war torn economy.
Roads, bridges and public buildings were
reconstructed.
Money was invested for the improvement of
rail road communication.
Social and political reforms were introduced.
Compulsory free public education.
For the first time the blacks attended the
school in large number

10. Blacks received recognition of control over
their church.
Election system and judicial procedures
were improved.
Taxation system were re organized
Poor people became ownership of small
farms.
Constitution created during this period
continued for long

11. Results of Reconstruction
Heavy taxes imposed by reconstruction
governments forced the land lords to sell away
their lands, this led to equitable distribution of
lands.
Educational policy created social awareness of
the blacks and poor whites.
South turned to mechanization.
Rapid period of industrialization started.

12. Results of Reconstruction
Union is restored.
Gain citizenship right and voting right.
South infrastructure and economy were
improved.
 Southern States established public school
system.
Sharecropping system takes hold in the south.