How do you think southern whites reacted to president Andrew Johnson’s plan?
President Johnson’s Plan (10%+)
Offered amnesty upon simple oath to all except
Confederate civil and military officers and those with
property over $20,000 (they could apply directly to
Johnson)
In new constitutions, they must accept minimum
conditions repudiating slavery, secession and state debts.
Named provisional governors in Confederate states and
called them to oversee elections for constitutional
conventions.
EFFECTS?
1. Disenfranchised certain leading Confederates.
2. Pardoned planter aristocrats brought them back
to political power to control state organizations.
3. Republicans were outraged that planter elite
were back in power in the South!
Yes.
To understand how southern whites reacted to President Andrew Johnson's plan, we need to consider the effects of his plan and the political dynamics of the time. President Johnson's plan, also known as the 10% plan, offered amnesty to all Confederate citizens except for civil and military officers and individuals with property worth over $20,000. Under this plan, these excluded individuals could apply directly to President Johnson for amnesty. Additionally, the plan required the acceptance of certain conditions in the new constitutions of Confederate states, which included repudiating slavery, secession, and state debts. President Johnson also appointed provisional governors to oversee elections for constitutional conventions in Confederate states.
The effects of President Johnson's plan can help us understand the reactions of southern whites. Firstly, the plan disenfranchised certain leading Confederates by excluding them from amnesty. This exclusion was likely viewed negatively by those who were barred from reclaiming their full rights as citizens.
Secondly, the planpardoned planter aristocrats, allowing them to regain political power and control state organizations. This aspect of the plan potentially pleased the planter elites, as it restored their influence and allowed them to resume their previous positions of authority.
Thirdly, the Republican Party, which was opposed to President Johnson's plan, was outraged by the return of the planter elite to power in the South. Republicans saw this as a setback for their efforts to promote equality and ensure the rights of freed slaves. The reinstatement of the planter elite was seen as a hindrance to the goals of Reconstruction.
Based on these effects, it can be inferred that the reactions of southern whites to President Johnson's plan were likely mixed. The plan may have been welcomed by some planter elite who regained political power, but it stirred outrage among Republicans and may have frustrated those excluded from amnesty. It is important to note that the reactions of individuals varied, and not all southerners necessarily shared the same views on President Johnson's plan.