Reconstruction

Martina and Terrance visit Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

After the Civil War, the South was in shambles and needed help from the Federal Government to rebuild. President Abraham Lincoln had a plan for Reconstruction. His plans were cut short when he was assassinated in 1865. With the death of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson became president. His Reconstruction plans did not please the Radical Republicans and eventually he was impeached for misconduct but found not guilty by one vote in the Senate. He remained in office. The Radical Republicans helped Congress to pass the Reconstruction Act of 1867. No matter who developed the Reconstruction plan, the South resisted change. Amendments to the Constitution abolished slavery, gave black male citizens the right to vote, and allowed citizens to live without fear of being deprived of life, liberty, or property. Unfortunately, minority groups would still be discriminated against until 1965.