Radical Republicans During Reconstruction Quiz

Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction offered a general amnesty, or pardon, to Southerners who abided by certain conditions. Amnesty is a term used to describe the act of granting forgiveness or pardon to a group of people for offenses committed. In this case, Lincoln's plan aimed to extend amnesty to Southerners who were willing to follow certain conditions, potentially allowing them to rejoin the Union and participate in the Reconstruction process.

During the Civil War, taxes were imposed on alcohol and tobacco as emergency measures. These taxes were commonly referred to as "sin taxes" because they targeted goods that were considered vices or indulgences. The term "sin" is used colloquially to describe activities or products that are deemed morally or socially unacceptable, such as excessive drinking or smoking. Therefore, the correct answer is "sin."

Graft refers to the act of gaining money illegally through politics. It involves corrupt practices such as bribery, embezzlement, and fraud. This term is commonly used to describe the unethical and illegal activities of politicians who use their positions of power to enrich themselves. Graft is a serious issue as it undermines the integrity of the political system and hinders the development and progress of a society.

Many Radical Republicans had been abolitionists before the Civil War. This means that before the Civil War, a significant number of Radical Republicans were already actively advocating for the abolition of slavery. This aligns with their strong stance against slavery and their commitment to racial equality, which was a central aspect of their political ideology. As abolitionists, they fought for the emancipation of enslaved individuals and the end of the institution of slavery.

The correct answer is "Northerners who moved to the South to take advantage of the war-torn region." This answer refers to the historical context of the Reconstruction period after the American Civil War. Carpetbaggers were individuals from the North who moved to the South to exploit the economic opportunities that arose from the region's devastation. They often held positions of power and influence, taking advantage of the chaotic situation to further their own interests. This answer accurately reflects the definition and historical significance of carpetbaggers during this time.

During Reconstruction, Congress did not confiscate land from Southern planters and redistribute it to freedmen. Instead, they implemented policies such as the Freedmen's Bureau and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to protect the rights of freedmen and provide them with assistance in education, employment, and legal matters. Land redistribution was not a significant aspect of Reconstruction, and the majority of land remained in the hands of former plantation owners.

The correct answer is "except that of religion." This means that the Freedmen's Bureau did impact all aspects of the newly freed African Americans' lives, except for their religious education. The bureau did not specifically focus on providing religious education or support to the freed slaves.

President Andrew Johnson did not promote a harsh policy for bringing the South back into the Union. In fact, he favored a more lenient approach towards the Southern states, which was evident in his Reconstruction policies. Johnson's plan allowed for the quick restoration of Southern states into the Union, with limited requirements for readmission. This approach was seen as too forgiving by many Republicans and led to conflicts with Congress over the future of the South. Therefore, the statement that Johnson promoted a harsh policy for bringing the South back into the Union is false.

The Radical Republicans during Reconstruction had several goals, including preventing Confederate leaders from returning to power, making the Republican Party a powerful institution in the South, and guaranteeing African Americans' right to vote in the South. However, guaranteeing seats in Congress for African Americans was not one of their main goals. While they did advocate for African American political representation, their primary focus was on ensuring civil rights and equal protection under the law for African Americans.

The proposed terms of the Wade-Davis Bill included restrictions that were harshest on former Confederate officials. These officials were prohibited from voting or holding office, indicating that they would face severe consequences under the bill. The other options, including citizens of former Confederate states, African Americans, and Congressional delegates, were not specifically mentioned as being targeted by the restrictions outlined in the bill. Therefore, the correct answer is former Confederate officials.

The correct answer is owners of small farms who did not want wealthy planters to regain power. This answer is supported by the fact that the question mentions the term "scalawags" and states that they were looking for a way to regain power. The term "scalawags" refers to Southern whites who supported the Republican Party during Reconstruction, and many of these individuals were small farmers who opposed the wealthy planters who had held power before the Civil War. These small farmers feared that the wealthy planters would regain power and oppress them once again.

After the Civil War, Republican reforms in the South focused on rebuilding and improving various aspects of the region's economy. While funding for healthcare, agriculture, and retail sales may have also increased, the given options suggest that transportation saw the most significant growth. This aligns with the fact that the reforms included the rebuilding of roads, railways, and bridges, as well as providing funds for new railroads and industries. Improved transportation infrastructure was crucial for the economic development and integration of the Southern states.

The statement is false. The Ku Klux Klan Act did result in some arrests and convictions of Klan members, but it did not lead to thousands of arrests and convictions or many members serving time in prison. The act was passed in 1871 to combat the violence and intimidation tactics of the Klan during the Reconstruction era, but its enforcement was limited and did not have a significant impact on the organization.

The correct answer is "Hayes pulled federal troops out of the South." This marked the end of Reconstruction because it effectively ended federal intervention and protection for African Americans in the South. With the removal of federal troops, Southern states were able to reinstate discriminatory practices such as Jim Crow laws and further suppress the rights and freedoms of African Americans. This decision by Hayes signaled a shift in the federal government's approach to Reconstruction and allowed Southern states to regain control and perpetuate racial inequality.

Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction aimed at reconciling with the South rather than punishing it. This approach was based on the belief that it was important to heal the wounds of the Civil War and bring the Confederate states back into the Union as quickly as possible. Lincoln wanted to offer amnesty to most Confederates who took an oath of loyalty to the Union and recognized the abolition of slavery. He also proposed a lenient process for readmitting Southern states into the Union. Overall, his goal was to promote unity and rebuild the nation rather than seeking retribution against the South.

The main charge at President Johnson's impeachment trial was that he had broken the law by refusing to uphold the Tenure of Office Act. The Tenure of Office Act was passed by Congress to restrict the President's power to remove certain officeholders without Senate approval. President Johnson had dismissed Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War, without Senate approval, which was seen as a violation of the law. This act was one of the main reasons for his impeachment, as it was viewed as a challenge to the authority of Congress and a violation of the separation of powers.

In the election of 1868, Ulysses S. Grant won several Southern states because the presence of Union troops in the South allowed African Americans to vote. The Union troops ensured that African Americans were able to exercise their right to vote, which significantly increased the number of voters in the Southern states. This increased support from African American voters played a crucial role in Grant's victory in those states.

The passage describes a specific incident involving Essic Harris, a formerly enslaved man, who was targeted by the Ku Klux Klan. This implies that free African Americans were not safe from violent actions during the 1860s. The presence of the Klan, their intimidation tactics, and the fact that Harris was targeted for his involvement in local politics all suggest that violence against free African Americans was a real and constant threat during this time period.