Final answer:
Johnson's Reconstruction plan prioritized a swift reintegration of the South with minimal changes, overlooking the rights of the freed African American population. Radical Republicans were upset with Johnson as they wanted a complete transformation including rights and land redistribution for freedmen, while moderate Republicans were hesitant about aggressively extending these protections, revealing tensions within the post-Civil War Republican Party.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Andrew Johnson's vision of Reconstruction was lenient towards the South, seeking quick reintegration without significantly altering the existing social structure. This stance largely ignored the rights and welfare of the newly freed African American population.
Radical Republicans, including figures like Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, were upset with Johnson's plan because they envisioned a complete transformation of Southern society, which would include granting voting rights and equality to Black men, along with a redistribution of land. These radical views aimed at punishing the former Confederacy and restructuring society to prevent the former planter class from regaining power.
Reconstruction should be about redefining the South to promote true equality post-Civil War, according to the Radicals. However, 'center' or moderate Republicans opposed comprehensive changes for various reasons, including potential political costs and underlying racial biases, showing reluctance in fully endorsing rights for freed people.
Johnson's predisposition to white supremacy and his general adherence to Lincoln's lenient approach, despite initial indications that he would be tougher on the South, alienated Radical Republicans. Their goal was a more punitive Remaking of the South, ensuring that freedmen were granted full citizenship and that the old Southern order was dismantled.