Which is true regarding how presidential and congressional reconstruction plans differed?

options:

The president wanted to bring seceded states back into the Union as quickly as possible
The president wanted to bring seceded states back into the Union as quickly as possible

The president believed that Congress would be too soft on Southern “rebels”
The president believed that Congress would be too soft on Southern “rebels”

The president wanted Southerners to pay steep fines for damages caused by the war.
The president wanted Southerners to pay steep fines for damages caused by the war.

Congress refused to grant African Americans citizenship rights

9 answers

The correct statement regarding how presidential and congressional reconstruction plans differed is:

The president wanted to bring seceded states back into the Union as quickly as possible.

President Abraham Lincoln, and later President Andrew Johnson, advocated for a more lenient and rapid reintegration of the Southern states into the Union, while Congress, particularly the Radical Republicans, pushed for more stringent measures and protections for African Americans and a slower process that would ensure greater accountability for the South.

The other statements are not accurate:

  • The president did not necessarily believe Congress would be too soft on Southern "rebels"; rather, he sought leniency in reintegration.
  • The president did not propose that Southerners pay steep fines for damages caused by the war; rather, he favored leniency.
  • Congress did pass laws that granted African Americans citizenship rights, particularly with the 14th Amendment, although this was a contentious issue during Reconstruction.
What was significant about how the Ku Klux Klan gained power and influence in the South? Select the two that apply.

options:

It was a group of white Democrats who wanted to regain control of the government
It was a group of white Democrats who wanted to regain control of the government

The group was made up of Republicans who wanted to see peace between the North and the South
The group was made up of Republicans who wanted to see peace between the North and the South

The group was funded by Northern politicians who wanted to stir up opposition in the South
The group was funded by Northern politicians who wanted to stir up opposition in the South

The group influenced the voting behaviors of citizens through threats.

The two significant factors regarding how the Ku Klux Klan gained power and influence in the South are:

  1. It was a group of white Democrats who wanted to regain control of the government.
  2. The group influenced the voting behaviors of citizens through threats.

The Ku Klux Klan emerged as a reactionary group seeking to undermine Reconstruction efforts and maintain white supremacy. They used intimidation, violence, and threats to suppress African American voters and maintain political power for white Democrats in the South. The other options inaccurately portray the Klan's origins and motivations.

What was the result of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1865?

options:

Women were given the right to vote.
Women were given the right to vote.

Slavery was officially abolished in all areas of the United States.
Slavery was officially abolished in all areas of the United States.

The production and consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited.
The production and consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited.

All citizens were granted the right of free speech.

The correct result of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1865, is:

Slavery was officially abolished in all areas of the United States.

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The other options mentioned do not relate to the 13th Amendment:

  • The right to vote for women was established later, with the 19th Amendment in 1920.
  • Prohibition of alcoholic beverages was enacted with the 18th Amendment in 1920.
  • The right of free speech is protected by the First Amendment, not the 13th.
What is significant about the Fourteenth Amendment?

options:

It stated that African Americans were free to run for political office
It stated that African Americans were free to run for political office

It granted African Americans in the United States citizenship and therefore voting rights
It granted African Americans in the United States citizenship and therefore voting rights

It outlawed slavery in the United States resulting in the freedom of thousands of slaves
It outlawed slavery in the United States resulting in the freedom of thousands of slaves

It guaranteed freedom of speech for all citizens including African Americans

The significant aspect of the Fourteenth Amendment is:

It granted African Americans in the United States citizenship and therefore voting rights.

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, provided a broad definition of citizenship, ensuring that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, were granted citizenship and equal protection under the law. This was crucial for the civil rights of African Americans and provided a foundation for subsequent voting rights legislation.

The other options are not accurate in relation to the Fourteenth Amendment:

  • The amendment did not specifically state that African Americans were free to run for political office; however, it did affirm their citizenship, which implicitly enabled their participation in politics once other barriers were overcome.
  • The prohibition of slavery was addressed by the Thirteenth Amendment, not the Fourteenth.
  • While the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, it is separate from the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What was the significance of the Fifteenth Amendment?

options:

It outlawed slavery in the United States resulting in the freedom of thousands of slaves
It outlawed slavery in the United States resulting in the freedom of thousands of slaves

All citizens were granted the right of free speech.
All citizens were granted the right of free speech.

The production and consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited.
The production and consumption of alcoholic beverages was prohibited.

It granted African American men the right to vote

The significance of the Fifteenth Amendment is:

It granted African American men the right to vote.

Ratified in 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment prohibited the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This was a crucial step in ensuring political rights for African American men following the Civil War.

The other options mentioned are not related to the Fifteenth Amendment:

  • The outlawing of slavery was addressed by the Thirteenth Amendment.
  • The right to free speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment.
  • The prohibition of the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages is addressed by the Eighteenth Amendment, not the Fifteenth.