The+Greg+Oyan+Experiment



** 1. **The civil war was the most destructive event in the history of the United States. In order to regain stability, fellowship, and the unification of the North and South, a tedious reconstruction process needs to be set in motion. **Reunification, punishment, and civil rights are all important topics that must be addressed and enforced.** (good thesis) **The South lost the war, period. Punishment should be expected and accepted lest harsher punishment be inflicted for uncooperation. Before his tragic martyrdom, Abraham Lincoln fought for the mending of the Union. That is essential in the reconstruction cycle. The Union must be unified. Slavery is the elephant in the room for both the North and South. African Americans need a strong political plan for their future; they’ll get one in our reconstruction strategy. These things and more must be implemented in order to reestablish an honorable nation that is unified without question.** (straight and to the point, good intro) ** 2. **The Confederates were insurgents, rebels against their own country. They chose to take up arms against the Union. Therefore, they will be punished. The problem is, many confederates were strong leaders in many Southern communities. Confederates will be allowed to serve in both State and Federal government, provided that they take oaths to uphold the Union at all costs and never turn against it, and will be impeached or removed from office at even the slightest mention of treason or secession. The oath of loyalty to the United States will also entail the acceptance of changes and ratifications in federal law, including obedience to laws regarding the tense subject of slavery (What should these laws say concerning slavery?). If the Confederate leader opposes a federally approved law or illegally attempts to or succeeds in disassembling an unappealing law to their fancy, they will be removed from office. Any form of radical opposition such as the forming of a rebellion or violent cult tendencies, will be punished in the highest degree possible as due to the charge in Federal court. Any Confederate not willing to take the oath of loyalty or traitorously trying to revive the rebel movement, will be either arrested by the Federal, not state, but Federal government, (in the case of violence or forming rebellion), or deemed ineligible to run for public office, (in the case of the oath of loyalty). (the Confederates seem too restricted under these terms, definitely on the right track in establishing unity, but might have to loosen up the punishments, for the Confederates may feel that their rightful liberties are being threatened) ** 3. **With the fall of the institution of slavery, freedmen are granted full citizenship, including the exact same freedoms and rights as any other man regardless of skin color (be careful here: a gradual increase in freedoms for black men would be more ideal; the immediate equal freedom to all citizens would create rebellion of whites and strong disagreement). Excluding women’s suffrage of course, for black women. With many white southerners bitter over black rights and freedoms, a series of black refugee camps will be built throughout the South. These camps will be fortified and guarded around the clock by Union troops (seeing the economic condition in the South, money should be used to rebuild its facilities and provide necessities, there are numerous freedmen, and these camps may be unnecessary: by taking up too much space and using too much money). Any attempt by ANYONE to invade a camp could become subjected to lethal force that will be authorized in order to protect American citizens. (still, white men will be in strong disagreement and anger and may take this anger out on the government, creating problems that would threaten unity) Any other crimes or offences that victimize black people primarily for racial purposes will be tried in court just as though a white man or women was the victim (what if the court members are white and still hold a natural grudge against African Americans?). Racism however, is a hate crime; therefore in court an offender may be convicted will special circumstances, making the death penalty possible in extreme cases. The Freedmen’s Bureau will continue to provide education and jobs to as many blacks as possible. The Federal government will provide a large financial program to stabilize the damaged Southern economy, seeing as how the North is in quite ideal economic condition. If ex-Confederates or whites attempt to harm or enslave blacks in any manner, if caught, they will be punished in a court of law. People, who take up arms to intimidate or traumatically harass black political leaders or their families, will be punished severely if caught. (could this still prevent organizations from arising, such as the KKK?) Due to recent white supremacy violence and terrorism, especially against black political leaders and “carpetbaggers”, the entire nation will be subject to a mass gun registration. The army will be in charge of the data collection that will entail a record the owner’s name, number of weapons, weapon model, and any distinguishing characteristics or marks on the weapon, if they are present. Failure to cooperate with the army will result in a possible misdemeanor charge. (this may be very hard to organize, seeing how almost everyone possesses a gun for protection; also could this still prevent violence? there are other means of hurting people besides guns, what about lynching?) ** 4. **In Southern state governments, anyone can hold office other than women. Blacks may hold office (once again, this massive freedom may create violent uprisings), men may hold office, and under special circumstances Confederates may hold public office. The reason for the North’s leniency towards Southerners in this matter is that the very principles that this nation has stood by for generations, call that we would give certain freedoms to citizens of the United States, and this is one of those freedoms. ** 5. **Before states earn full rights and representation, they must ratify the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, follow all previously stated new rules and regulations, and sign a permanent statement of amalgamation with the Union. All the state’s legislators, senators, governor, and lieutenant governor, under oath, must sign the document. If the state is not able to comply with these guidelines, then they must either replace a politician, or suffer military occupation until the state’s government is stable and ready to function properly. (very good) ** 6. **The Southern economy will be restored with Federal funding packages. These packages will be implemented on a state-to-state basis. Once a state has received its full rights as a state, Federal money will go towards the advancement of Southern farming technology, factory construction, and education (they can only help the south to a certain extent; although the south was far more damaged from the war, the north spent a great deal of money too). Agriculture is the South’s most prominent economic faculty, thus agricultural technology can be built and improvements researched with the help of Federal spending. Factories have helped boost economic wellness in the North, it couldn’t hurt to use the same strategy in the South, and build more factories. Factories can also provide jobs for poorer white veterans and impoverished blacks (what will happen to the farms and plantations?). Education is the gateway for future success; therefore it will be promoted throughout the nation (will everyone have the right to receive equal education?). ** 7. **Union troops are vital for Southern reconstruction. Troops will help remind the South that they did indeed lose the war, like it or not. Soldiers will also help provide proper discipline for the sporadically rowdy south through policing and monitoring Southern citizens through the understandably hard reconstruction phase. Union troops can help subdue any radical movements or rebellions if necessary. As mentioned earlier, Union troops will be taking gun registration all throughout the country including the South, and ensuring a relatively smooth rebuilding period. (the constant presence of Union soldiers in southern territory could pose as a threat to the southern people) ** 8. **Reconstruction is essential for this war torn United States. Luckily, the North was in positive financial standing by the end of the war, and the 3 branches of government remain fairly secure. With cooperation from the South, reconstruction can be only mildly painful for the Southerners. Yet it will in all likelihood not be easy for every Southern state to fully agree with new laws and ratifications that are now required of states in the Union. Civil rights, just punishment, and unity must all be pursued in both the North and the South. Once basic government structures have been reached in Southern states, and appropriate measures taken by the South, this country can be unified forever. Long live the Union; long live the United States of America.

Very well thought of plan. Make sure Union troops along with laws do not over-restrict the southern people. They have equal rights just as anyone else. Also the immediate equal rights to all freedmen, even if they are protected, will still result in discontent in the South. In order for unity, the majority of people in the country must be satisfied. -Alec (Thanks Alec, you had some good advice dude. We'll be sure to critique yours too bro....Love, The Greg Oyan Experiement) Tha