The Radical Reconstruction movement was formed primarily in response to the policies of President Andrew Johnson. Both moderate and Radical Republicans alike criticized Johnson for his ideas concerning freed people’s rights and his strong fear of excessive legislative power in the federal government. For example, in 18

One of the first of these acts was the Fourteenth Amendment. This amendment, passed in June 1866, declared that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” were “citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside” and were guaranteed “equal protection” and “due process” under the law. This amendment was a sign of the growing belief in the Republican party that national legislation was necessary for the protection of freedmen. The Radicals also added clauses to the amendment designed to enhance the Republican Party’s power. One such clause stated that representation in Congress would be reduced for any state that denied adult males the right to vote. This was a great move for the Republicans because it provided that either southern states allowed blacks to vote (thus increasing the number of likely Republicans), or they would lose seats in Congress. This was also a key measure by the Republicans because it resolved the issue of trying not to disenfranchise the southern white dominant class while still stopping their political privileges. (Harper’s Weekly). Another clause in the Fourteenth Amendment stated that former Confederate leaders would be prevented from holding federal or state offices. Moderate Republicans, however, added a clause that allowed Congress to make individual exceptions when it wished.

The next great event in the history of the Radical Republicans was the Congressional election in the fall of 1866. The Republicans had extraordinary success and won a three-to-one majority in Congress. The Nation, a radical journal, called the election “the most decisive and emphatic victory ever seen in American politics.” It seemed clear to the Republicans that the nation was calling for Radical Reconstruction. (Gillon, Matson).

The next issue of importance to the Radicals was black suffrage. They addressed this problem with the Fifteenth Amendment. Section 1 of this amendment forbade states to deny their citizens the right to vote on the grounds of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Section 2 gave Congress power to enforce the amendment by appropriate legislation. The ratification of this amendment was an enormous step forward for blacks as well as another great political victory for the Republicans. (Pyne, Sesso).

The end of Radical Reconstruction came following the election of 1876. Radical Republican Rutherford Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden competed in a very close election. The winner was unclear, however, due to a dispute over electoral votes in three states. In response, a commission was established to determine a winner. In a compromise, Hayes was declared the president w

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