Question

What extraordinary step did the Congress and the Republicans take when newly-elected Southern legislators took their seats in Congress in December 1865 after Southern readmission into the Union under Andrew Johnson’s plan?
Congress refused to admit the new Southern legislators.
Congress began impeachment hearings against Johnson.
Congress refused to begin its Congressional term.
Republicans opened the session but refused to work with the southern legislators.

Answer 1

The extraordinary step that Congress took when newly-elected Southern legislators took their seats in Congress in December 1865 was that Congress refused to admit the new Southern legislators. This was primarily due to concerns about the political power and rights of former Confederates and the implications of their presence in Congress after the Civil War.