why do you think the closing lines of the proclamation would anger the radical republicans?
The closing lines of the proclamation, which referred to the necessary measures for reconstruction, would likely anger the radical Republicans for a few reasons:
1. Insufficient punitive measures: The radical Republicans believed that the South should be harshly punished for their part in the Civil War and that the proclamation did not go far enough in this regard. They wanted stricter measures, such as confiscation of property and more severe penalties for leading Confederates.
2. Inadequate protections for freed slaves: The proclamation mainly focused on offering a pardon to former Confederates and restoring their property rights. However, the radical Republicans were concerned about the rights and protection of newly freed slaves. They believed that more should be done to secure their civil rights, provide them with economic opportunities, and ensure their political participation.
3. Readmission of Southern states: The proclamation detailed the process for readmitting Southern states into the Union. The radical Republicans were opposed to a quick and lenient readmission process, as they wanted to ensure that these states would be fully reconstructed according to their vision, with guarantees of civil rights and equal representation for freed slaves.
Overall, the closing lines of the proclamation would have angered the radical Republicans because they felt that it did not adequately address the issues of punishment for the South, protection for freed slaves, and a rigorous process for reconstructing the Southern states.
The closing lines of the proclamation likely angered the radical Republicans because they reflected President Johnson's lenient stance towards the Southern states and his opposition to the radical Republicans' push for more stringent measures against the Confederacy. To understand why the radical Republicans were angered, we can examine the context and specific language used in the proclamation.
First, let's look at the context: The proclamation was issued in May 1865, shortly after the end of the American Civil War. The radical Republicans, a faction within the Republican Party, were committed to ensuring civil rights for freed slaves and implementing a more punitive approach towards the defeated Southern states. They believed that these states needed to face significant consequences for seceding and fighting against the Union.
Now, let's analyze the language used in the closing lines. In those lines, President Johnson proclaimed that "a full pardon is hereby granted to them (Confederate States), with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves." This statement seemed to indicate a swift and lenient policy towards the Confederate states.
This leniency implied that the Southern states could quickly reintegrate into the Union without facing substantial consequences for their role in the Civil War or any significant commitment to securing civil rights for formerly enslaved people. This was in direct opposition to the radical Republicans' perspective, as they believed that the Southern states needed to be held accountable and that the rights of freed slaves should be protected.
The radical Republicans feared that President Johnson's stance would undermine the progress they had made during the war and slow down the implementation of their goals for reconstruction, which included strengthening civil rights, ensuring equal protection under the law, and safeguarding the political rights of African Americans.
In conclusion, the closing lines of the proclamation would have angered the radical Republicans because they perceived them as a sign of President Johnson's leniency towards the Confederate states, which contradicted their own vision for a more rigorous and transformative approach to reconstruction.