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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 leader 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 Pennsylvania and Senator [[Charles Sumner]] of Massachusetts. Another prominent figure was Sen. [[Zachariah Chandler]] of [[Michigan]].

The main leaders were Representative [[Thaddeus Stevens]] of Pennsylvania and Senator [[Charles Sumner]] of Massachusetts. Another prominent figure was Sen. [[Zachariah Chandler]] of [[Michigan]].

==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).

==Civil War==

==Civil War==

Stevens was one of two Congressmen in July 1861 opposing the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution stating the limited war aim of restoring the Union while preserving slavery; he helped repeal it in December. In August, 1861, he supported the first law attacking slavery, the Confiscation Act that said owners would forfeit any slaves they allowed to help the Confederate war effort. By December he was the first Congressional leader pushing for emancipation as a tool to weaken the rebellion. He called for total war on January 22, 1862:  

Stevens was one of two Congressmen in July 1861 opposing the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution stating the limited war aim of restoring the Union while preserving slavery; he helped repeal it in December. In August, 1861, he supported the first law attacking slavery, the Confiscation Act that said owners would forfeit any slaves they allowed to help the Confederate war effort. By December he was the first Congressional leader pushing for emancipation as a tool to weaken the rebellion. He called for total war on January 22, 1862: