Why was President Johnson’s attempt at Reconstruction unsuccessful?
(1 point)
Responses
It was too harsh for the Radical Republicans.
It was too harsh for the Radical Republicans.
It made reconstruction a very lengthy process.
It made reconstruction a very lengthy process.
It allowed Confederate leaders to maintain power.
It allowed Confederate leaders to maintain power.
It excluded Southern representatives from Congress.
It excluded Southern representatives from Congress.
All of the responses are correct and contributed to the overall failure of President Johnson's attempt at Reconstruction.
1) It was too harsh for the Radical Republicans: President Johnson's plan, known as Presidential Reconstruction, was seen as too lenient by the Radical Republicans who wanted a harsher punishment for the South. They believed that the South should be completely reconstructed and that Confederate leaders should face more severe consequences for their actions.
2) It made reconstruction a very lengthy process: President Johnson's plan allowed Southern states to quickly regain representation in Congress by simply accepting the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. This meant that many Confederate leaders and officials were able to regain power and influence, stalling progress in Reconstruction.
3) It allowed Confederate leaders to maintain power: President Johnson's plan did not require any punishment or consequences for Confederate leaders. As a result, many of them were able to regain power and hold positions of influence in Southern politics, making it difficult to implement real change and ensure equal rights for freed slaves.
4) It excluded Southern representatives from Congress: President Johnson's plan did not include any requirement for Southern states to provide equal rights and protections for freed slaves. As a result, Southern states continued to enact discriminatory laws such as Black Codes, which limited the rights and freedoms of African Americans. Without Southern representatives in Congress advocating for the rights of freed slaves, progress in Reconstruction was hindered.