Anonymous



The primary goal of reconstruction is reunification. Above all special interests of Northern or Southern groups, the main reason of reconstruction is to bring the Union back together as a whole. This will include a plan that integrates the wishes of all parties and special interest groups involved, which means compromise on each group's behalf as well.

 2. Obviously, the Confederates were not victorious during in the Civil War, and their oppressive practice of slavery should not go unpunished. However, if the goal of reconstruction really is reunification, too-harsh consequences for the South will not serve as a means to this end and will only further the divide between the two halves of the nation. Therefore, a more lenient plan for readmission seems most fitting and proper. Ten percent of the population of confederate states must ratify the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments and pledge the allegiance to the United States in order to be reunited into the Union. All government officials and military personnel must also ratify these amendments to affirm that they will obey and uphold the laws of the nation. Ex-Confederates are allowed to stay on their land, but they must pay all laborers that they employ to work the land. Aside form this, the Ex-Confederate South is not forced to pay any additional reparations.

I like that you mention they should be punished but that it's not the most practical thing. A lenient plant seems like a good idea, but 10% seems to be to small a number. 100% of the states should ratify these amendments, they are essential and if not ratified they will not be followed. Also, the last point about the South not being forced to pay any additional reparations should be further explained.

 3. Reunification is key, but the South cannot be given completely free reign of the land, just so they are appeased. Likewise, Freedmen cannot immediately be given full rights without serious risk of violent conflict between themselves and the Ex-Confederates. However, the victors of the war must implement certain changes over they territory that they prevailed. For example, freedmen must be paid by their employer. Officially, they can hold any job (except for a few exceptions discussed later), but many will probably continue work on the plantations because there is a great demand for their labor and they already have the skill sets to continue on. This also means that the freedmen are not forced to relocate against their will, and they will be supporting the local economy. However, a black labor union will oversee the working standards and will ensure that the freedmen are paid fairly. Black citizens will not have the right to hold office for twenty years. This allows a grace period for the southerners to adjust to the freedmen’s new position in society in order to prevent too much animosity in the South and to protect the freedmen from this animosity. However, blacks will have equal protection in court and will be able to serve on a jury in order to provide a jury of peers. They will also be able to vote, but only if they are currently enrolled in or have completed two years of formal education. This stipulation is created to decrease the number of people who vote blindly or who were persuaded by stealthy white politicians to vote against their best interests. Schools will be segregated for the near future but both black and white schools will teach the same material. This allows for the education of black citizens while decreasing agitation among whites. Immediate integration would be too much of a shock for society at this present time and may lead to more violence than education. Of course, neither the Southern whites nor the blacks will obtain all their goals for reconstruction. However, this compromise should fulfill some of the goals of each group and decrease the enmity between the two sections of society.

This plan is very well thought out. I liked that you created a labor union to oversee the situation. I also like that you put set time periods on different laws. Lastly, the way this plan is created to slowly being to integrate black people and the idea of "separate but equal" is a good start.

4. All adult male citizens will be allowed to vote, but only adult white male citizens will be eligible to hold office in the new Southern state governments. In order to regain citizenship, ex-Confederates must meet the requirements discussed above in paragraph two. Freedmen must also complete the requirements for their group discussed above in paragraph three in order to become citizens and gain their voting rights. Blacks will not be allowed to hold office for 20 years, at which time the government will reopen the discussion. The purpose of Union officers in the South will not be to hold positions in the Southern state governments, but to perform the following tasks discussed below in paragraph seven. In this way, black rights will slowly be integrated into the South's way of life, but reunification will remain the main goal.

To not allow Blacks to hold office for 20 years seems harsh. Maybe take small steps. Letting them be in community governments after 2 years, then city governments, then state, then federal ect. We don't know how the American mindset will be in even just 3 years. It should be reopened for discussion yearly, for to close it for discussion for such a long period of time is like predicting a future we cannot see. 

5. In order for states to regain full rights and representation in the American government, they must ratify the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. The 13th amendment officially prevents all slavery in the United States. The 14th amendment provides equal protection under the law for all citizens. The 15th amendment gives the right to vote to every male citizen. Once the states ratify these three amendments to the Constitution and promise to uphold their laws in their jurisdictions, then they may be readmitted into the Union. Also, 10% of the population in each state must pledge allegiance to the country before the state can be reaccepted. This policy was made fairly lenient in order to achieve the main purpose of reconstruction: to reunify the country.

10% seems like a small number. That means 9 in 10 people will be against being a part of the Union and this could lead to further conflict. What will the pledge say exactly? If they abuse the pledge what are the consequences?

6. We will rebuild transcontinental railroads that wil allow for us to help re-establish the southern economy and in order to build these railroads we will have a labot force made up of both blacks and whites. Also we will establish black labor unions as well as public works projects that will ensure that all workers are recieving fair amounts of pay and job availability doing this such as building railroads, picking cotton etc. Doing this we will be able to more easily recreate the southern economy as well as provide a safe and reliable work place for all.

Where will the money for these projects come from? And who will supervise?

7. The south needs to be temporarily controlled by the union troops in order to police the south and ensure that black rights are being respected. The union will not allow for union officials to hold any form of office in the south that would infulence their government. The union will supply the south with funding and supplies in order to fund southern public works projects as well as to help create jobs for southern whites and southern blacks. The union troops will continue to stay in the south for the next 25 years in order to protect blacks from hate crimes and making sure that the southerners will respect black rights, however the number of union troops will decrease every 5 years in order to slowly ease into the southerners running the south on their own.

In what way will the Union five the South money for reconstruction? Peoples taxes, a loan, ect? How many Union troops will come to the South to start with and when are they allowed to interfere? I like that you slowly decrease the number of Union troops over a period of time so there is a smoother transition.

A compromise will have to be agreed upon by all parts of the nation in order to keep it in one piece. Neither North nor South, white nor black, Democrat nor Republican, will have all of their interests established. However, the most important interest of all, the survival of the Union, will survive if all others can compromise.