Changes

Reconstruction came in three phases. '''Presidential Reconstruction''' (1863–66) was controlled by Presidents [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Andrew Johnson]], with the goal of speedily reuniting the country. Their moderate programs were opposed by the [[Radical Republicans]], a political faction that gained power after the 1866 elections and began '''Radical Reconstruction''' (1866–1873) emphasizing civil rights and voting rights for the Freedmen. A Republican coalition of Freedmen, [[Carpetbagger]]s and [[Scalawag]]s controlled most of the southern states. In the so-called '''Redemption''' (1873–77), white supremacist Southern Democrats (calling themselves "[[Redeemers]]") defeated the Republicans and took control of each southern state, marking the end of Reconstruction.   

Reconstruction came in three phases. '''Presidential Reconstruction''' (1863–66) was controlled by Presidents [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Andrew Johnson]], with the goal of speedily reuniting the country. Their moderate programs were opposed by the [[Radical Republicans]], a political faction that gained power after the 1866 elections and began '''Radical Reconstruction''' (1866–1873) emphasizing civil rights and voting rights for the Freedmen. A Republican coalition of Freedmen, [[Carpetbagger]]s and [[Scalawag]]s controlled most of the southern states. In the so-called '''Redemption''' (1873–77), white supremacist Southern Democrats (calling themselves "[[Redeemers]]") defeated the Republicans and took control of each southern state, marking the end of Reconstruction.   

==Policy Issues==

==Policy issues==

[[File:Lynch.jpg|thumb|450px|right|The first victims (yellow line) were Republican [[carpetbagger]]s; once they were driven out the Democrats turned on Blacks (blue line).<br>Source: Historical Statistics of the U.S., and is based on the 1952 Negro year Book.]]

[[File:Lynch.jpg|thumb|450px|right|The first victims (yellow line) were Republican [[carpetbagger]]s; once they were driven out the Democrats turned on Blacks (blue line).<br>Source: Historical Statistics of the U.S., and is based on the 1952 Negro year Book.]]

There were conflicting theories of what the national government could and should do to restore the South to a normal status.  The key constitutional provision was the national government must guarantee to every state a "republican form of government."  Exactly what that meant was the issue. Radical Republican [[Charles Sumner]] argued that secession had destroyed statehood alone but the Constitution still extended its authority and its protection over individuals, as in the territories.  [[Thaddeus Stevens]] and his followers viewed secession as having left the states in a status like newly conquered territory.  

There were conflicting theories of what the national government could and should do to restore the South to a normal status.  The key constitutional provision was the national government must guarantee to every state a "republican form of government."  Exactly what that meant was the issue. Radical Republican [[Charles Sumner]] argued that secession had destroyed statehood alone but the Constitution still extended its authority and its protection over individuals, as in the territories.  [[Thaddeus Stevens]] and his followers viewed secession as having left the states in a status like newly conquered territory.