Why was the coalition of Radical Republicans formed?
The coalition of Radical Republicans was formed in response to the Civil War and the Reconstruction era in the United States. These Radical Republicans believed that the South needed to be heavily punished for their role in the war and that African Americans should be granted full civil and political rights. They supported policies such as the abolition of slavery, land redistribution, and voting rights for African Americans.
The coalition was primarily made up of two groups within the Republican Party. The first was the Radical Republicans who held more extreme beliefs and wanted to enact swift and radical changes in the South. The second group was the Moderate Republicans who were willing to compromise and work towards gradual change.
The formation of this coalition was also driven by political motives. The Radical Republicans saw an opportunity to gain power and influence in Congress by championing the cause of African Americans and taking a hardline stance on punishing the South. They believed that by doing so, they could secure the African American vote and maintain their electoral advantage in the future.
Overall, the coalition of Radical Republicans was formed to advance their ideological goals of equality and justice for African Americans, while also addressing the political dynamics of the time.