Failure of Reconstruction - AP U.S. History

1. What led to the end of Reconstruction?

   The Compromise of 1877. Withdrew federal troops in exchange for Hayes's presidency.

2. What was the main goal of the Southern Homestead Act?

   To provide land to African Americans and poor whites. Attempted to redistribute Southern land to the landless.

3. What was the Compromise of 1877?

   An agreement that ended Reconstruction. Resolved the disputed 1876 election in exchange for federal withdrawal.

4. Which amendment granted citizenship to all born in the U.S.?

   The 14th Amendment. Ratified in 1868, it overturned Dred Scott decision.

5. Who were the Radical Republicans?

   A faction that advocated for harsh Reconstruction policies. Led by Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner.

6. What was the main criticism of the sharecropping system?

   Perpetuated economic dependency and poverty. Trapped farmers in cycles of debt and poverty.

7. Identify the term for laws enforcing racial segregation.

   Jim Crow laws. Named after minstrel show character, enforced segregation.

8. What was the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1866?

   First U.S. law to define citizenship and affirm rights. Overrode Johnson's veto to protect freed slaves' rights.

9. Which political party dominated Southern politics during Reconstruction?

   Republican Party. Supported by African American voters and federal protection.

10. Which Southern state was last to be readmitted to the Union?

    Georgia. Readmitted in 1870 after extended federal occupation.

11. What was the impact of the Panic of 1873 on Reconstruction?

    Diverted attention from Southern issues. Economic crisis shifted Northern focus away from Reconstruction.

12. What was the Ten Percent Plan?

    Lincoln's plan for re-admitting Southern states. Required only 10% of voters to take loyalty oath.

13. What was the Wade-Davis Bill?

    A stricter Reconstruction plan proposed by Congress. Required majority oath and denied rights to Confederate leaders.

14. Name the secretive group formed to intimidate African Americans.

    The Ku Klux Klan. Founded in 1865 to terrorize African Americans and Republicans.

15. What was the main focus of the Redeemers during Reconstruction?

    To restore Democratic control in the South. Southern Democrats who 'redeemed' states from Republican rule.

16. Define 'Black Codes'.

    Laws limiting the freedom of African Americans in the South. Enacted by Southern states to restrict freed slaves.

17. What was the significance of the election of 1876?

    Led to the Compromise of 1877. Disputed election results led to political deal ending Reconstruction.

18. Define 'Scalawag'.

    Southern whites who supported Reconstruction. Often ostracized by other Southern whites for collaboration.

19. Identify the system that replaced slavery in the South.

    Sharecropping. Created a cycle of debt and poverty for laborers.

20. What did the Civil Rights Act of 1875 aim to address?

    Racial discrimination in public accommodations. Prohibited discrimination in hotels, theaters, and transportation.

21. Identify the economic system involving tenant farming and debt.

    Sharecropping. Farmers worked land but remained in debt to landowners.

22. What was the Amnesty Act of 1872?

    Restored voting rights to most Confederates. Removed political disabilities from most former Confederates.

23. Which act divided the South into military districts?

    The Reconstruction Act of 1867. Imposed military rule over the unreconstructed South.

24. What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau?

    To aid freed slaves and poor whites in the South. Established in 1865 to provide education and assistance.

25. What was the main purpose of the Enforcement Acts?

    To protect African American voting rights. Also known as the Force Acts, fought Klan terrorism.

26. What was the effect of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision?

    Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine. Allowed racial segregation if facilities were theoretically equal.

27. Which president was impeached during Reconstruction?

    Andrew Johnson. For violating the Tenure of Office Act in 1868.

28. What was the main criticism of Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction policies?

    Too lenient towards the South. Radical Republicans wanted harsher measures against the South.

29. Identify the president who succeeded Lincoln.

    Andrew Johnson. Became president after Lincoln's assassination in 1865.

30. Which Supreme Court case upheld segregation?

    Plessy v. Ferguson. 1896 decision that legalized segregation for decades.

31. Which group's rights were most affected by the failure of Reconstruction?

    African Americans. Lost protection when federal troops were withdrawn in 1877.

32. Identify the amendment that abolished slavery.

    The 13th Amendment. Ratified in 1865, it officially ended slavery nationwide.

33. What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

    The right to vote regardless of race. Ratified in 1870, though enforcement proved difficult.

34. Which group was primarily responsible for enforcing Reconstruction policies?

    Union military forces. Federal troops protected Republican governments and voters.

35. What was the main goal of Reconstruction?

    To rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society. This was the primary objective following the Civil War.

36. Identify the act that aimed to curb Klan violence.

    The Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. Gave federal power to prosecute Klan members.

37. What was the primary goal of the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction?

    To restore white supremacy. Used violence and intimidation to control black voters.

38. What was a Carpetbagger?

    Northerners who moved South during Reconstruction. Southerners viewed them as exploiting the region's weakness.

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