Congressional Reconstruction

Johnson's Reconstruction Plan: It reflected some of the same ideas as President Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan, but was much more beneficial for the Southerners. The Johnson Reconstruction Plan was less severe with the South and pardoned any Southerner who took an oath of allegiance to the Union and/or asked for forgiveness from Johnson personally. 

Black Codes: The first order of business in these new, white-run governments was to enact the black codes, which were laws that restricted freedman's rights. The black codes established virtual slavery with some provisions.

14th Amendment: It states that anyone, black or white,  born in America was guaranteed automatic citizenship and that no state can deprive them of freedom, life, or property. Also everyone should be treated the same way, legally.

15th Amendment:  The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Radical Reconstruction: They envisioned a more severe punishment and they insisted that the main goal of the Reconstruction should be a total restructuring of society to guarantee black people true equality.

Carpetbagger: The term southerners gave to northerners who moved to the South during the Reconstruction era, between 1865 and 1877. They formed a coalition with freedmen, and scalawags in the Republican Party.

Scalawags: The nickname for Southerners who supported the Reconstruction.