History of South America

How was president Andrew johnsons plan for the south different from

President Andrew Johnson's plan for the South was different from President Lincoln's plan in several ways.

Reconstruction policies: While Lincoln's plan focused on a more moderate approach to Reconstruction, Johnson's plan was more lenient towards the former Confederate states. Johnson believed in a rapid restoration of the Southern states to the Union without harsh penalties or major social changes.

Amnesty and Reconstruction: Lincoln's plan involved a gradual process of Reconstruction that included offering amnesty to most Confederates who took an oath of loyalty to the Union. Johnson's plan, however, granted immediate and unconditional amnesty to all except for certain high-ranking Confederate officials and those who had committed serious crimes. This policy allowed many former Confederate leaders to quickly regain their political power in the South.

Voting Rights: Lincoln's plan did not address the issue of voting rights for freedmen (former slaves) in the South. Johnson also initially resisted giving African Americans the right to vote, but he eventually supported the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which granted citizenship and equal rights to African Americans but did not explicitly provide them with voting rights.

Land Distribution: Lincoln had supported proposals to redistribute land to freedmen as a means of economic empowerment. However, Johnson opposed such policies and generally favored returning confiscated land to its former owners, including former Confederate landowners.

Johnson's plan for Reconstruction faced significant opposition from Radical Republicans in Congress, who believed it was too lenient towards the former Confederacy and did not adequately address the issue of racial equality. This led to conflicts between the President and Congress, and the eventual impeachment of Johnson in 1868, although he was acquitted.