The Reconstruction Era in the United States happened right after the Civil War. This was a confusing time with two different ways to rebuild the country: Presidential Reconstruction and Congressional Reconstruction.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1867) was led by President Andrew Johnson. His plan was pretty easygoing towards the South. He wanted Southern states to quickly rejoin the Union if they promised to be loyal and accepted the end of slavery. For example, states could come back just by agreeing to the 13th Amendment and writing new state constitutions. But this softer approach allowed unfair laws, called Black Codes, to come up. These laws limited the rights of African Americans and made life difficult for them.
Congressional Reconstruction was different. It happened because people realized Johnson's plan wasn't working. The Radical Republicans in Congress took charge, wanting tougher rules for the Southern states. They created the Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which split the South into military districts controlled by Union soldiers. To be readmitted, Southern states had to give voting rights to Black men and agree to the 14th Amendment.
In short, while Johnson wanted to quickly fix things, Congress aimed for a bigger change by focusing on civil rights and protecting the rights of newly freed African Americans.
The Reconstruction Era in the United States happened right after the Civil War. This was a confusing time with two different ways to rebuild the country: Presidential Reconstruction and Congressional Reconstruction.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1867) was led by President Andrew Johnson. His plan was pretty easygoing towards the South. He wanted Southern states to quickly rejoin the Union if they promised to be loyal and accepted the end of slavery. For example, states could come back just by agreeing to the 13th Amendment and writing new state constitutions. But this softer approach allowed unfair laws, called Black Codes, to come up. These laws limited the rights of African Americans and made life difficult for them.
Congressional Reconstruction was different. It happened because people realized Johnson's plan wasn't working. The Radical Republicans in Congress took charge, wanting tougher rules for the Southern states. They created the Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which split the South into military districts controlled by Union soldiers. To be readmitted, Southern states had to give voting rights to Black men and agree to the 14th Amendment.
In short, while Johnson wanted to quickly fix things, Congress aimed for a bigger change by focusing on civil rights and protecting the rights of newly freed African Americans.