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'''Radical Republicans''' were members of the [[Republican Party]] in the era of the [[American Civil War]] and [[reconstruction]]. They took the lead in demanding the abolition of [[slavery]] and worked to ensure that Freedmen (freed slaves) would have complete equality with white citizens. In addition, they believed that punitive measures should be taken against the Southern States for seceding from the Union.  The Radicals demanded, and sometimes got, more vigorous prosecution of the war against the Confederacy and a quicker end to slavery.  They often opposed [[Abraham Lincoln]], the leaders of the moderate republicans.  The Radicals vehemently opposed President [[Andrew Johnson]]. They were reluctant to readmit the white South to full status during Reconstruction, and concentrated on giving civil rights, and the right to vote, to Freedmen (freed slaves). After Reconstruction collapsed in 1877 the remaining Radicals formed the "Stalwart" faction of the Republican Party.  On economic issues, most were conservative and business-oriented.

'''Radical Republicans''' were members of the [[Republican Party]] in the era of the [[American Civil War]] and [[reconstruction]]. They took the lead in demanding the abolition of [[slavery]] and worked to ensure that Freedmen (freed slaves) would have complete equality with white citizens. In addition, they believed that punitive measures should be taken against the Southern States for seceding from the Union.  The Radicals demanded, and sometimes got, more vigorous prosecution of the war against the Confederacy and a quicker end to slavery.  They often opposed [[Abraham Lincoln]], the leaders of the moderate republicans.  The Radicals vehemently opposed President [[Andrew Johnson]]. They were reluctant to readmit the white South to full status during Reconstruction, and concentrated on giving civil rights, and the right to vote, to Freedmen (freed slaves). After Reconstruction collapsed in 1877 the remaining Radicals formed the "[[Stalwart]]" faction of the Republican Party.  On economic issues, most were conservative and business-oriented.

The main leaders were Representative [[Thaddeus Stevens]] of Pennyslvania and Senator [[Charles Sumner]] of Massachusetts.   

The main leaders were Representative [[Thaddeus Stevens]] of Pennyslvania and Senator [[Charles Sumner]] of Massachusetts.   

[[Image:Stevens-T.jpg|thumb|240px|Thaddeus Stevens]]

[[Image:Stevens-T.jpg|thumb|240px|Thaddeus Stevens]]

==Origins==

==Origins==

They were not a [[political party]], but more of a faction in the states, and an informal grouping among the Republicans in [[Congress]]. They began their rise to prominence in 1854, and after the election of 1860, they became a true force to be reckoned with when several of their members were given key committee chairmanships:  Thaddeus Stevens (Ways and Means), Owen Lovejoy (Agriculture), James Ashley (Territories), Henry W. Davis (Foreign Relations), George W. Julian (Public Lands), Elihu Washburne (Commerce) and Henry Wilson (Judiciary).

They were not a [[political party]], but more of a faction in the states, and an informal grouping among the Republicans in [[Congress]]. They began their rise to prominence in 1854, and after the election of 1860, they became a true force to be reckoned with when several of their members were given key committee chairmanships:  Thaddeus Stevens (Ways and Means), Owen Lovejoy (Agriculture), James Ashley (Territories), Henry W. Davis (Foreign Relations), George W. Julian (Public Lands), Elihu Washburne (Commerce) and Henry Wilson (Judiciary).