Final answer:
Presidential Reconstruction and Congressional Reconstruction had different aims and approaches towards the South after the Civil War. Presidential Reconstruction was more lenient and focused on quick restoration, while Congressional Reconstruction was stringent and focused on civil rights for African Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both Presidential Reconstruction and Congressional Reconstruction had different aims and approaches towards the South after the Civil War. Presidential Reconstruction, led by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, was considered more lenient towards the South. It aimed for a quick restoration of the Southern states and focused on granting amnesty to most Confederates. On the other hand, Congressional Reconstruction, also known as Radical Reconstruction, was more stringent and sought to impose harsher terms on the South, ensuring civil rights for African Americans and protecting their newfound freedom.
While some argue that Presidential Reconstruction's approach was more fair to the South as it aimed for a quicker reconciliation, others argue that Congressional Reconstruction's focus on civil rights and protecting African Americans was more fair.
Learn more about Reconstruction of the South after the Civil War