Reconstruction

Although Presidential and Radical Reconstruction had some similarities, the much greater differences between them were the cause of the difference between a quickly and effectively restored union and a prolonged and inefficient attempt at doing so. One way sought to smooth over sectional tension, the other to keep the same arguments above the surface. It's now obvious today that the types of Reconstruction were the difference between trying to reconstruct the Union, and trying to revamp the south to become something it couldn't be.

The differences between Presidential and Radical Reconstruction were great in some areas, small in others, but all differences had an effect of the reconstruction process. Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan was no doubt a very lenient plan for the admittance of southern states which had all of two requirements, that ten percent of the eligible voters in a state take and oath of loyalty and that that same ten percent be accept the end of slavery. Throughout the years the process for admittance under Radical Reconstruction simply became more unrealistic and complicated including the Wade Davis bill which included the "ironclad" oath, the requirements of ratifying the 13th and 14th Amendments, assuming state debts, and allowing the black vote. Lincoln's first and foremost goal was to get the Union back together and to do it quickly, and Johnson did his best with disregard to a few requirements to follow his lead. It's obvious that wasn't the final goal of the Radicals, if it was even a goal at all. They were seeking retribution and thought unity could come later. Lincoln had no requirements for rejoining the Union which effectively changed the southern way of life except for acknowledging an end to slavery. The Radicals were huge proponents of civil rights and allowing the black vote, and would not allow former confederate officers to be elected or hold government positions. In this way the Radicals wanted a complete overhaul of southern society and to reconstruct that, not necessarily the Union. During Presidential Reconstruction most of the power lay in the executive hands and therefore in Lincoln's, and he had a firm grip of power and a large say in how things were done often regardless of Congress's take. The switch of power to an inept Johnson allowed the Congress to become the premier branch of government which passed many possibly unconstitutional bills and acts, that is until they passed amendments to make them constitutional, and drastically limited the power of the other two branches with the Army Act and Tenure of Office Act. Radical Reconstruction gave way to unprecedented amounts of power in Congress while Presidential Reconstruction was run with from the Executive with little real