As the Civil War came to an end in
, President
wanted to see the country heal quickly from the four years of fighting. His proposal to bring the South back into the country became known as "
Reconstruction." He wanted all former Confederate states to be admitted back into the Union after
% of the population promised loyalty to the United States. Also, the states would have to agree to abolish
.
However, he did not live to see that happen. Instead, Reconstruction was controlled by Congress. Their plan was known as "Congressional Reconstruction," but sometimes it is referred to as "
Reconstruction." Politicians such as
and Charles Sumner wanted to punish the South for starting the war. Though they required states to pass amendments 13th, 14th, and
th, they also place the South under military rule. Southern states were also required to end all "
", laws that denied basic rights to former slaves.
Reconstruction would end in
, but the wounds of the previous years would be a long time healing.