During President Lincoln’s second inaugural address in March of 1865 Lincoln spelled out a very concise plan for reconstruction without expanding on many of the details. His primary objective was to heal the nation and to bring the southern states back into the political process with as little retaliation or hard feelings as possible. In fact in Lincoln’s final public speech on April 11, 1865 Lincoln asserts “We all agree that the seceded States, so called, are out of their proper practical relation with the Union; and that the sole object of the government, civil and military, in regard to those States is to again get them into that proper practical relation. I believe it is not only possible, but in fact, easier, to do this, without deciding, or even considering, whether these states have even been out of the Union, than with it.” Lincoln’s ultimate goal for reconstruction will always remain a mystery as would his ability to bring his vision to life due to his assignation but his early indications pointed to a return to a pre war status quo with the removal of slavery throughout the entire united states.
Lincoln’s successor Andrew Johnson was one of the few southern democrats who opposed the confederacy. He was a confirmed racist with little to no interest in the fate of the blacks within the newly conquered south. Unfortunately for the United States and reconstruction efforts Johnson was a stubborn and difficult man to work with. Although many of Johnson’s ideas about reconstruction were not that far removed from some of those Lincoln had purposed he lacked the political connections and finesse of the previous president and he found himself constantly at odds with congress. By many accounts Johnson was too lenient with the southern states and to hostile towards the newly freed black population. By the end of his presidency he managed to alienate even the most conservative members of congress and brought about impeachment proceedings against himself for tampering with the intents of congress. Johnson’s inability respect and work with congress allows the more radical republicans in congress to take control of reconstruction efforts. Congress places the southern states under military rule. Northern carpetbaggers flock to the south and take up political offices and make their fortunes in the devastated south. Free suffrage is forced upon the southern states and freemen are protected by congressional amendments. A number of the southern states are not readmitted to the union until 1877. A number of these measures breed distrust and hatred between the northern and southern states, which continues through to modern day.
The reconstruction that Lincoln hoped for missed on so many levels. His hope for reconstruction “With malice towards none and charity for all” never came to be. Many northerners were angry because they felt that the south wasn‘t held accountable for their actions. The southern states were angry not only for losing but also for having to live under military rule, and having their recently freed slaves granted liberties guaranteed through the United States Constitution. Many of the freed blacks felt that the United States fell short of complete liberation of the slave class and that they were ignored in order help the peace process. The civil rights movement of the 1960’s and 70’s were an effort to force the United States to complete what began during reconstruction. While reconstruction changed the political and social climate of the U.S. forever one has to wonder what would have been accomplished if Lincoln had been able to control the direction the country for his remaining four years in office.
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