The+Kitten+Force

(Sierra, Lauren, Nan)

1. Our primary goal of reconstruction is to enforce civil rights and reunify the North and South as quickly and effectively as realistically possible. We plan to create an equilibrium of the two in order to avoid further outrage and rebellion from the South, while at the same time accomplishing what the Civil War intended to do. We are not looking to punish or harm the South in any economical or political way, our nations future is in a state too fragile to attempt that, however as a last resort we will use military force if the South disregards the laws to be set in place in order to ensure unity and respect among whites, blacks, Republican’s, Democrats, Northerners, and Southerners. ( ** When will it be necessary to use military force? What will happen when you use military force?) **

2. We do not want to punish the ex-confederates gravely for they are our brothers. The South has endured enough punishment as they have lost countless of beloved lives and property. Even though few may argue that the North suffered these tragedies too, the South has had to endure humiliation and face the fact that slavery is banned and must begin a new lifestyle. As Lincoln stated in his Second Inaugural Address, we all read the same bible and adhere to the same God. As the North, we must be humble and compassionate and forgive our Southerns as God's words intended. Therefore, the Southern states will be readmitted to the Union after ratifying the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. By ratifying these amendments, the South is taking an oath to not violate these supreme laws. If the South violates any of these amendments, their representatives are on probation/provisional office. A state enters the district of a provisional office if that state has at least 1/4 of the population violating the amendments. Once that state has been deemed on probation, the state is given a certain span of time to resolve their issues and take appropriate legal actions. If this state fails to do so, their representative is kicked out of office and the solution of the issue will be decided upon the North. (**good law without many loopholes)**

3. Freedmen are protected under the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. It is trivial if the South argues on the decency or adequacy of a black. A black is a man, and all men have civil rights in America. The South can not argue or violate these amendments because these are the terms for readmission and the final, supreme law. All of America must obey these amendments, the South is not excluded from obeying. If the South violates or denies any civil rights, then Congress will pass extra taxes on the Southern states. These taxes will go directly to the blacks to pay for damages to their health, family, property, and etc. This tax will pass through Congress because in the Johnson era, the Republicans(mainly Northerns) controlled Congress and the tax would only affect the South. This tax is also fair because the North are abiding by the law and should not be punished ﻿ with the South since the South would be the perpetrators. If a Southern representative does not attempt to thwart any riots or violence towards blacks, that representative will be replaced with a black representative.The Southerns will obey these laws because they would rather die than see a black in power or give money to the blacks. The South can have an easier time obeying these laws and not receive extra taxes and maintain a voice in government which is the latter to no representative and high taxes which result to loss of homes. ( **this is a good idea to keep the southern rebels in line so that they do not disobey laws.)**

4. Any adult male may vote, and any elected candidate may hold office. We will not exclude any persons from this valued democratic right. The ex-confederates may win the right to office, but they will be given a year-long provisional spot. If evidence of white supremacist violence, or any violation of the 13th, 14th, or 15th amendment that has gone unpunished, the entire district will be put on “suspension” and given an allotted time to properly punish the criminals (We’re using the concept of if one child misbehaves the whole class is punished). If they fail to fix said problem, their office will be replaced by a Republican. This helps keep the state under some level of regard to the law while keeping their voices heard in office. It doesn’t tamper with their original office holder, but gives room for change come election time. **(This is a good idea, but why would the whole Democratic party be punished? Perhaps it would be more effective to focus on the individual than the whole political party- it may create more divides than wanted).**

5.In order to return to the Union, each state must ratify the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. We don’t want to isolate and ostracize the South anymore than necessary, because we don’t want any more contumacious actions from them if we can avoid it. We do want to reunify the United States, but our goal first and foremost is to grant the rights to the former black slaves they’ve long deserved. Therefore, the amendments must be ratified and an oath must be given by each states representative pledging their state’s loyalty to the new United States of America. Any violation of the oath will result in __immediate suspension__ **(end problem before it gets out of hand- good)** of political influence in Congress. Until said violation is properly “punished”, the state’s position in the new United States of America will be placed under question and further economical barricades may be placed until proper action is taken. **(Good, like that you are focusing on the freedmen's rights to make sure segregation doesn't occur).**

6. In order to boost the economy we will give small grants of money to both impoverished southern whites and freedmen to get them back on their feet so they will have the means to start their own businesses. In order to acquire these funds we will tax alcohol, weapons, and tobacco in the south which may also encourage less violence. We will not raise taxes on their lands. Additionally, that money will go to establishing public schools to better educate anyone in the community which will after time, increase the overall job eligibility of the citizens of the south. We will also encourage southern people to look towards the north for examples on how to start their own factory based economy, in order to get them more industrialized. Once this has taken place, it will be easier to purchase a majority of locally grown and manufactured goods instead of relying on the imports from the north. **(Good, but keep in mind the uproar that has happened over taxes on alcohol in the past- Whiskey Rebellion, etc. How will that be dealt with/ avoided?)**

7. To start, Union soldiers will no longer be called by that name. From now on they will be American soldiers because it is assumed that the Union and Confederate territories are once again The United States of America. American soldiers will be sent into the south for one major purpose: __**to ensure that the civil rights of blacks are being respected(good idea).**__ Therefore, American soldiers will be posted at all voting booths to ensure that all freedmen are being permitted to have their legal vote. Finally, any citizen of the south who is even proven guilty of going against the civil rights of a freedmen, will be stripped of all of their property, which will then be given to struggling southern families (white or black) with the need of land to start a farm or business. We do this in hopes of slowly stripping the power from the Klu Klux klan by taking away their power since they will no longer have money or land to fuel their group.**(Good start, but how will union troops improve the South's economy)**

All in all, our plan may resemble a reward and punishment system but it is necessary to keep the South in boundary. The South can not be admitted to the Union and be criminals. We are allowing the South back with open arms, food, care, and no jail time. The South must see these points in an un-prejudice light and realize we are trying to establish a concrete foundation for the future. We will not punish unless provoked. The North must behave, the South must behave. We can not allow the South to trample over our Constitution which will provide an example to other states that criminal activity is allowed. This message will result in anarchy. We acknowledge that the South has dealt through intense tragedies. The North has as well, and the blacks. We all understand the pain of the South and do not want to deepen the cut. We doubt that the South wants to deepen their wounds too, so obey these regulations and we have the chance to become a prosperous nation once again.**(nice conclusion i like the idea of bringing in the south with open arms but trying to move past their prejudice history)**