Graphic of part of the Emancipation Proclamation
Rights and POwer: The POlitics of Reconstruction
Link to Part 1 of Section 4: Presidential Reconstruction Link to Part 2 of Section 4: Congress and Civil Rights Link to Part 3 of Section 4: The National Debate Over Reconstruction; IMpeachment; and the Election of Grant Link to Part 4 of Section 4: Reconstruction Government in the South Link to Biographies in Section 4

"The Reconstruction Policy of Congress," 1867. (Library of Congress)

"The Reconstruction Policy of Congress,"
1867.
(Library of Congress)

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Much of the debate over Reconstruction swirled around the Freedman's Bureau and efforts to extend suffrage to non-whites.

Political cartoons used racist imagery to reflect Democratic charges that government assistance would benefit indolent freedman at the expense of whites, and linking suffrage for blacks with the enfranchisement of Chinese immigrants and Native Americans (shouldered by George C. Gorham, Republican candidate for governor of California in 1867)
Copyright 2003
he Meaning of Freedom: Black and White Responses to Slavery From Free Labor to Slave Labor Rights and Power: The Politics of Reconstruction The Ending of Reconstruction Epilogue: The Unfinished Revolution Additional Resources Credits for this Exhibit Link to return to Digital History Home Link to return to Reconstruction Home Introduction