Question

How was Congressional Reconstruction more effective than Presidential Reconstruction? Choose the statement that accurately describes the effectiveness of Congressional Reconstruction.

A. It resulted in the passage of strong civil rights laws.
B. It relied less on military power to enforce its provisions.
C. It made it easier for Southern states to rejoin the Union.
D. It sped up the process of readmitting the Confederate states.

Answer 1

Congressional Reconstruction was more effective than Presidential Reconstruction because it led to the passage of strong civil rights laws and included military enforcement to protect the freedoms of the freedmen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Congressional Reconstruction was considered more effective than Presidential Reconstruction primarily because it resulted in the passage of strong civil rights laws. This period saw Congress take decisive actions to counteract the Black Codes and ensure that the rights of freedmen were protected under the law. Notably, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed, which aimed to provide equal protection under the Constitution to all citizens and was the first act to be passed over a Presidential veto. This act, along with subsequent amendments, signified a departure from the more lenient approach favored by President Johnson during Presidential Reconstruction and took significant steps toward civil liberties and justice for the formerly enslaved.

The effectiveness of Congressional Reconstruction can be contrasted with Presidential Reconstruction, which favored a quicker reintegration of Southern states into the Union, often at the expense of civil liberties for former slaves. Instead, Congressional Reconstruction included military enforcement of its provisions and stipulations to punish former Confederates and protect the rights of freedmen, effectively setting the stage for more comprehensive and lasting changes in the South.