What are the differences in Plan and Radical after civil war?

The Plan and Radical Reconstruction were two very different approaches to Reconstruction after the American Civil War. The Plan, also known as the Presidential Reconstruction, was proposed by President Andrew Johnson in 1865. It was a relatively lenient plan that would have allowed the Southern states to quickly rejoin the Union with minimal punishment. The Radical Reconstruction, on the other hand, was a much more ambitious and transformative plan that sought to fundamentally change the South and ensure the rights of freedmen.

Goals

The Plan was primarily concerned with restoring the Union and reintegrating the Southern states into the federal government. It did not seek to make any major changes to the social or economic structure of the South. The Radical Reconstruction, on the other hand, had much more ambitious goals. It aimed to dismantle the plantation system, redistribute land to freedmen, establish public education, and guarantee the civil rights of African Americans.

Policies

The Plan's policies were relatively straightforward. Southern states would be required to abolish slavery, repudiate the Confederate debt, and ratify the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery. Once these conditions were met, the Southern states would be allowed to rejoin the Union. The Radical Reconstruction, on the other hand, involved a much more complex and interventionist approach. Federal troops were sent to the South to enforce martial law, and the Southern states were divided into military districts. The military governors of these districts had broad powers to oversee the process of Reconstruction, including the registration of voters, the establishment of new state governments, and the distribution of land to freedmen.

Impact

The Plan had a relatively limited impact on the South. The Southern states were quickly readmitted to the Union, and the former Confederate leaders were largely allowed to retain their power. The Radical Reconstruction, on the other hand, had a much more profound impact. It helped to dismantle the plantation system, establish public education, and lay the foundation for the civil rights movement. However, it also led to increased racial violence and white resistance.

Legacy

The Plan is often criticized for being too lenient on the South and for failing to address the underlying causes of the Civil War. The Radical Reconstruction is often praised for its ambitious goals and its transformative impact on the South. However, it is also criticized for being too idealistic and for leading to increased racial violence. Ultimately, the legacy of Reconstruction is complex and contested.