AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Reconstruction Governments (Day 147/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about the Reconstruction Governments as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Andrew Johnson pardoning Confederate soldiers at the White House, Wikimedia Commons

In the early years of Reconstruction, most former politicians from the South were prohibited from taking part in the new governments. Therefore, the governments were composed of many new groups.

The “Strong” Government, Library of Congress

One of the largest groups was Republicans who were split into two factions. Radicals favored using federal power to promote the rights of African Americans, while Moderates were more concerned with economic gains for the white middle class.

"First Colored Senator and Representatives in the 41st and 42nd Congress of the United States." Wikimedia Commons

For the first time in the nation’s history, African Americans were elected to hold office. Nearly 700 served in state legislatures, 16 as U.S. Congressmen, and 2 as U.S. Senators.

Carpetbagger, Wikimedia Commons

Some Northerners, called Carpetbaggers, rushed to the South after the war to seek wealth and political power. Southern poor white farmers, disparagingly called Scalawags, were seen as betraying the South as they went along with Radical Republicans.

The Reconstruction governments were composed of many different groups including both Radical and Moderate Republicans, Carpetbaggers, Scalawags, and most notably for the first time, African Americans. 

Join me tomorrow as I explain Reconstruction Amendments in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!