T-Kirb+and+the+Ladies

=T-Kirb and The Ladies =



The primary goal of reconstruction is the reunification of the North and South. Once the terrible rift between North and South is mended and a common sense of nationhood is reached, forward progress is made more possible. Focusing solely or primarily on civil rights or punishment would be further divisive, cause resentment, and would be difficult in quickly accomplishing. Therefore, we must restrengthen our coherence as a nation while defending ALL citizens and upholding the Constitution. To successfully carry out reunification, we must ease post-war feelings by rebuilding trust and nationalism, compromising, and reaching common ground on the issues of equality, power, and rights. Additionally, we must extend our help rather than punishment to the South, rebuilding it politically, economically, and socially out of the ruins of racism and feudalism. In the reunification of both sections, it should be known that states rights overpower federal law unless deemed unconstitutional. In this case, the federal power acts as a supervisor over states rights. When believed to be unconstitutional, it will be taken to the Supreme Court to be resolved. The secondary goal is to sustain Civil Rights. We plan to uphold the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
 * What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)**

Mainstream ex-Confederate leaders shall be re-evaluated to determine their allegiance to the preservation of the Union. They will take a pledge promising to defend the United States and obey all legislatures along with every other citizen. Any infraction will result in banishment from public service ( If the Ex-Confederates were willing to infract upon the pre-determined pledge, then would they not be willing to infract upon other efforts toward Reunification? Therefore posing a threat to society unless dealt with through alternate forms of discipline.) The Ex-Confederate states, leaders, and citizens will not be additionally punished simply because of their old loyalty to the Confederacy. We believe that punishment has already been dealt with the defeat of the South, destruction and alteration of their property and land, and the freeing of the slaves. Now, we must focus on abiding by the law and reconstructing the Union.
 * What should be done to the ex-Confederates?[[image:kirby-debriefing-2010-2011.jpg width="640" height="477" align="right"]]**

There is a need to protect the newly freed African Americans. In our proposal we plan to create a newly established Freedmen Act that will offer a free education, an opportunity to land ownership, and protection of civil rights ( How will the land, or lack there-of, be distributed? If given the "unwanted", infertile, available land, rebellion will erupt. If land is taken from previous landowners, rebellion will erupt. ). The Freedmen Act will establish schools for basic education and for teaching basic life and technical skills that will benefit the African Americans in the workplace (Will the educators be volunteers, therefore unpaid? How will the funds be produced for the offered "free education"?). The Freedmen Act's purpose is to progressively assimilate African Americans into an equal status with every other U.S. citizens. This progression of equality for African Americans will maintain unity and peace of the country that an immediate change would disrupt.
 * What should be done for the freedmen?**

Under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, African Americans are legally and constitutionally free, citizens of the U.S. Therefore, they, along with every other citizen of the United States, whether from North or South, will be allowed to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments. When all people have civil rights and are free and equal, reunification and progress is possible. Ex-Confederate leaders will be permitted to hold office if voted to a position, but only if their allegiance to the Union is declared and they take the pledge to uphold the Constitution. (Will there be any rights that will be different for men or women? This is a time when there was much discrimination not only between race but also gender. It's good to have them make an allegiance but how will the federal government make sure that these officials are upholding their oaths?)
 * Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?**

While maintaining the primary goal of reunification we propose to annex the Southern states as quickly and smoothly as possible, but to attain unity there must be a consensus on certain issues. All seceded states must accept the newly added 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. We understand that this requires an entirely new social infrastructure, but we are only doing what is best for the country and mankind. Before a seceded state may send a politician to hold office in the House, Senate, or any other public service position, they must pass an evaluation of their loyalty to the Union. The newly elected officials must then take an oath agreeing to follow any and all laws written in the constitution of the United States of America. In taking this oath the politician is agreeing to declare slavery has been abolished, African Americans are now United States citizens, and have the unconditional right to vote in their newly annexed state. If the politician is found to break his oath to the Union and the constitution, he will be forcibly removed from office and will never be allowed to take office again, but will not be punished furthermore. It is important to remember the Civil War is in the past, and it is time to create a new and great America in which we all take part. (Good idea for healing the nation and bringing it together by not enforcing harsh punishments. But what about requirements for the state government? If all officials must take this oath, then it could cause some tension.)
 * What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?**

Our main goal is to work towards reunification, and everyone will be working together to help improve the economy. The government will aid the South as much as possible to make up for the lost land. ( what will the government do specifically? ) There will be a three-year plan that will be enforced to assist African Americans. When African Americans purchase land, they will be given a three-year grace period with no charge to the land. After three years, they will be charged payments over a span of years. There will be no interest added to the payments.( good idea! ) The Freedmen Act will be established to benefit sharecroppers who are renting land, as well as African Americans who don’t own any land.( What will it do to benefit both the plantation owners and the freedmen?) They can apply for unclaimed land in the West, allowing them to have the opportunity to disperse and alleviate tension in the South. This way they can also start a new life, and be able to support themselves. ( Would they have to pay for this land? )
 * How should the Southern economy be restored?**

Due to the fact that our primary goal of reconstruction is reunification, with our secondary goal of upholding civil rights, we plan to keep order by extending the police force in the South. These men will be from both the North and South to keep any misunderstandings from taking place.( good idea as long as they can work together! ) This will also bring the North and South together as the police force works together. It will reinforce the federal law and enforce the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. It will also maintain peace between blacks and whites striving for equality amongst them. When problems arise or when the law is broken, they will deal with them accordingly. A penitentiary has been established to reteach the value of human life and equality among men for citizens who commit hate crimes. ( good) As for the Union troops, they will not be established until reconstruction requires it. When they do get involved, the invasions of the citizens privacy, such as living in their houses or searching property with no reason, will not be tolerated.( good ) They will only be there to reinforce the laws that have not been followed.
 * What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?**

How far can you move up on a broken ladder? How far can a broken nation progress? Reunification, above all, is the purpose of Reconstruction. By quickly re-admitting the South back into the Union, keeping troops at a bare minimum in the South, getting rid of punishment, and working together, North and South, to rebuild the damage of the war, we offer a hand of friendship and unity. However, in doing so, we will maintain a policy that adheres to national law so as to maintain order. Breaking or hindering the law, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, will result in just punishment for leaders and citizens alike. Excluding certain citizens in the process of forming a country is not only against the democracy we are founded up, but against Reconstruction. Allowing the African American population to be further subordinated will only strengthen the opposing views on race indefinitely. By gradually but steadily giving status as equal citizens to the African Americans through the benefit of rights, suffrage, and education we can eventually come together as one people of one nation.
 * Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)**

Alex: Blue Madison: Pink