Radical Republicans had two main goals. First, they wanted to break the power of wealthy planters who had long ruled the South. Second, they wanted to ensure that freedmen received the right to vote. They used legislative reforms, or changes in laws, to achieve their goals.

Question

Which of the following is an example of how Radical Republicans sought to achieve their goals?

working to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment
working to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment

ensuring that African Americans could outvote their former owners
ensuring that African Americans could outvote their former owners

developing a speedy process to readmit southern states to the Union
developing a speedy process to readmit southern states to the Union

denying wealthy planters the right to vote

Answer 1

An example of how Radical Republicans sought to achieve their goals is denying wealthy planters the right to vote. This action was consistent with their aim to break the power of the wealthy planters in the South and to promote political rights for freedmen. By restricting voting rights for former Confederates (many of whom were wealthy planters), Radical Republicans aimed to shift political power toward those who supported Reconstruction and civil rights for African Americans.