After any fight or dispute things don't go to being perfect just because the conflict is ended. Sure the North had beaten the South, but still a plan was needed for the future of the South. Throughout the reconstruction period, 3 plans were proposed: Lincoln's plan, Johnson's plan, and the Radical Republican plan. Each was different but they all had similarities. .
Lincoln's plan, which was the first proposed reconstruction plan, was issued in 1863. His plan offered a pardon to any confederate that would swear to support the constitution and the union. Once a group of people in a conquered state equal to one tenth the state's total votes took an oath to abolish slavery, Lincoln granted them executive recognition. Although his plan angered radical republicans because it was to forgiving, Lincoln kept with it. He didn't wan to punish the South as much as get the country back into order. The Wade Davis Bill was passed, but then it was pocket vetoed by Lincoln. The Wade Davis Bill required 50 percent of a state's male voters to take an "ironclad" oath that they had never voluntarily supported the union. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865 for his anti slavery movements.
Following Lincoln's assassination, Johnson who was pushed forward to the Vice President at that time took over as the President of the US. Johnson, although a little bit stricter than Lincoln, gave pardons to any of whom took an oath, although Johnson did not give pardons to high ranking confederate officials. In order to be readmitted to the US, a state had to abolish slavery. Finally a state had to repeal its succession in order to be readmitted to the union.
By forcing a impeachment upon Johnson, although it didn't pass, Johnson was no longer a strong voice in what went on. The Radical Republicans gained control. There plan was based on revenge on the South, keeping the Republican Party in power, and freeing the slaves.
