VOICE TWO:
Andrew JohnsonThe radical Republicans decided that President Johnson's reconstruction program must be stopped. They began working to get control of Congress to pass their own program. Only by gaining political power could they punish the South and guarantee full political rights to former slaves.
The radicals tried to take control in two ways.
First, they refused to let many of the recently elected southern congressmen take their seats when Congress opened.
Then they formed their own joint committee on reconstruction. This committee -- not the Senate or the House of Representatives -- would make many of the decisions about reconstruction.
VOICE ONE:
Radical lawmakers took other steps to seize control of reconstruction efforts in the South.
Congress had established a government agency to take care of black refugees in the South. The agency gave food and clothing to former slaves who had no food, money, or jobs. It began to teach them to read and write.
Republicans in Congress moved to extend the life of the agency and increase its powers. They passed a bill and sent it to the White House for the president's approval.
President Johnson vetoed the bill. He said it would create false hopes among former slaves. He also said it was unconstitutional. The radicals tried to overturn Johnson's veto. However, they failed to get the necessary votes.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25