Question

What was the main issue relating to Reconstruction that divided Republicans at the end of the Civil War? If you had been a member of Congress at the time, what type of plan for Reconstruction would you have supported and why?

Answer 1

The main issue relating to Reconstruction that divided republicans at the end of the civil war is because the moderate group wanted to bring the south back to the union. On the other hand, the radicals wanted a severe punishment for them. The moderate group thought that the faster the rebels join back the union, they could start healing.

Answer 2

How the South should be readmitted to the Union-- splits occurred between moderate Republicans and Radical Republicans.

Moderate Republicans believed the South should be brought in quickly and allowed to take sovereignty of their states back as soon as possible. They did not want harsh punishments and wanted to quickly transition back to "normal". The Radical Republicans wanted to not only prevent Southern Democrats from regaining control too quickly, but also wanted to require loyalty pledges to reenter the Union. Radicals also wanted to ensure full citizenship and voting rights to blacks which as not a focus or even a desire of moderates.