Evaluate the presidential and congressional plans for post-Civil War reconstruction.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the presidential and congressional plans for reconstruction of the post-Civil War South by weighing up their strengths and limitations. These may be considered separately or common plans and ideas may be dealt with thematically. In respect to reconstruction, candidates may discuss the conflicts represented by the plan of President Lincoln, the Wade-Davis Bill, the plan of President Johnson and, ultimately, “Radical Reconstruction” under the control of Congress. To evaluate the respective plans, candidates may assess the plan’s impact on the social, political and economic reconstruction of the South, the potential for conflict between the executive and legislative branches, how far the plans protected the civil liberties of freedmen, the likelihood for contributing to conflict and division between the former enemies, and the capacity of the plans for economic and political integration of freedmen.