Reconstruction Plans

Abraham Lincoln Plan

In late 1863, Lincoln announced a formal plan for reconstruction:

-A general amnesty or pardon would be grated to all (pertaining to Southerners) who would take   an oath of loyalty to the U.S and pledge to obey all federal laws pertaining to slavery.

-High Confederate officials and military leaders were to be temporarily excluded from the process

-When 10% of the voters who had participated in the 1860 election had taken the oath within a particular state, then that state could rejoin, form a new government and elect representatives to Congress.

Andrew Johnson  Plan

President Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. His successor, Andrew Johnson, lacked his predecessor’s skills in handling people, and those skills would surely be missed. Johnson’  envisioned plans agreed with Lincoln's. He also approved the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery forever, and he nullified ordinances of secession.

Initial Congressional Plan

In July 1864, Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill, their own formula for restoring the Union:

     -A state must have a majority within its borders take the oath of loyalty

     -A state must formally abolish slavery

     -No Confederate officials could participate in the new governments.

However, Lincoln did not approve of this plan and exercised his pocket veto.