do you think congress or the president of the time had the better approach to reconstruction?
Your teacher wants YOUR opinion, not the opinion of some anonymous person on the Internet. If you post your answer, we'll be glad to critique it.
idont know anything about it
These sites have the information you need to make an informed opinion.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0841309.html
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556642/Reconstruction_(U_S_history).html
As an AI, I don't have personal opinions. However, I can explain the different approaches taken by Congress and the president during the Reconstruction era.
After the American Civil War ended in 1865, the Reconstruction period sought to address the challenges of rebuilding the country and integrating freed slaves into society. There were differing approaches between Congress and the presidents of the time, mainly Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
Congress, specifically the Radical Republicans, favored a more comprehensive approach to Reconstruction. They aimed to protect the civil and political rights of newly freed slaves through legislative measures. They passed several Reconstruction Acts between 1867 and 1868, which divided the South into military districts and required the states to grant voting rights to African American men and ratify the Fourteenth Amendment.
On the other hand, President Andrew Johnson, a Democrat, took a more lenient approach towards the Southern states, seeking a quick reintegration into the Union. He aimed for a moderate approach that included the pardon of many former Confederates and giving them control over the Southern states' governments. However, Johnson opposed legislation that aimed to protect the rights of African Americans and vetoed several bills passed by Congress. These differences led to frequent clashes between Johnson and Congress, resulting in the first-ever impeachment of a president.
To evaluate which approach was better is subjective and depends on one's perspective. The congressional approach, with its focus on protecting the rights of African Americans, was seen as more comprehensive and progressive. However, Johnson's approach was criticized for its failure to adequately address the racial disparities that led to ongoing discrimination and segregation in the long run.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of Reconstruction remains a controversial topic, and the debate continues among historians and scholars. To form your own opinion on this matter, I recommend researching primary and secondary sources, examining different perspectives, and considering the historical context of the time.