Radical Republicans: 2011

Historical Significance of Radical Republicans

The main gain from the Radical Republicans was black suffrage. This later lead to women wanting their rights to vote.

Slaves Voting

The excercise of democratic rights by former slaves constitututed a political and social revolution in the South and was bitterly resented by whites. 1871

Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson

Radical Republicans tried to impeach President Andrew Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act. They were tired of Pr. Johnson's vetos. Two Radical Republicans in 1868, were unsuccessful in their attempt to convict the Presient. They were one vote short of impeaching President Johnson.

Radical Republican Quotes

Radical Republican Reconstruction Quotes from the leading forces; Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner.

15th Amendment

Radical Republicans wanted to place black suffrage in the Constitution. The 15th Amendment made blacks voters. This was passed in 1870.

Reconstruction Plan

The website below states the 3 main factors that motivated the Radical Republicans in making their Reconstruction Plan.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h180.html

14th Amendment

Radical Republicans did not want the Southerners to win control of Congress and repeal the Civil Rights Bill. They passed the 14th Amendment to make sure that the concepts of the Civil Rights Bill was put into the Constitution. Radical Republicans were disappointed that the 14th Amendment did not give emancipated blacks the rights to vote, but made sure that if seceeded states wanted to rejoin the Union, that the states would have to ratify the 14th Amendment.

Thaddeus Stevens

"I wished that I were the owner of every southern slave, that I might cast off the shackles from their limbs, and witness the rapture which would excite them in the first dance of their freedom." -Thaddeus Steven 1837

Civil Rights Bill of 1866

This Bill was aimed against the Black Codes, that were designed to limit the freedoms of the emanicpated blacks. The Civil Rights Bill gave emancipated blacks citizenship, and made it a crime to prevent blacks of their freedoms of the rights to sue, testify in court, and hold property. President Andrew Johnson vetoed, but Congress revoked his veto.

Charles Sumner

Lead the radicals in Senate not only for the freedom of slaves but also for equality.

. . Without them the old enemy will reappear,gatn. "
-Charles Sumner

If all whites vote. then must all blacks. . Without them the old enemy will reappear, and ... in alliance with the Northern democracy. put us all in peril agatn. "
-Charles Sumner