In December 1863, even before the war ended, Lincoln formulated a Reconstruction plan—the "10 percent plan" that offered a general amnesty to all white Southerners, with the temporary exception of Confederate high civil and military officials. As soon as 10 percent of the number of 1860 voters in any state took a loyalty oath, they could set up a state government. At this juncture, Lincoln was interested primarily in restoring the Union as soon as possible and was willing to postpone questions about race relations. Concerned about the mildness o
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