The change from Presidential to Congressional control during Reconstruction is really interesting. It shows the political problems of that time. Let’s break down the main differences and important people involved:

Presidential Reconstruction

• A Gentle Approach: At first, President Abraham Lincoln had a kind plan. He wanted to help Southern states come back to the Union. His idea was called the 10 Percent Plan. It said a Southern state could return if just 10% of its voters promised to be loyal to the Union.
• Andrew Johnson Steps In: After Lincoln was killed, his vice president, Andrew Johnson, took over and kept this gentle approach. But many people were upset with him. He often ignored the needs of newly freed slaves, which made Congress and the public very frustrated.

Congressional Reconstruction

• Wanting Tougher Rules: Congress, especially a group called the Radical Republicans, wanted to be stricter. They thought the South needed major changes to protect the rights of freedmen and to make sure they were loyal to the Union.
• Important Leaders: People like Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner fought for civil rights. They helped create the 14th and 15th Amendments to guarantee citizenship and voting rights for African Americans.

Key Differences

• Focus on Rights: Congressional Reconstruction aimed to ensure civil rights and equal protection for freed slaves. In contrast, Presidential Reconstruction was more about quickly letting Southern states return with few conditions.
• Final Outcome: Because of Congressional control, there were many important changes. This included creating military districts in the South and enforcing civil rights, highlighted by the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

In the end, this shift in Reconstruction happened because Congress felt that Johnson was not doing enough to protect the rights of freedmen and keep the achievements of the Civil War. The fight for control showed bigger issues about power and civil rights that would influence the future of the United States.