amnesty and reconstruction to be approved by congress. In this
plan, 10% of those who voted in the election of 1860 had to take an oath proclaiming
their loyalty to the United States. Confederate states could then form a new
government and use a new constitution. In this proclamation, slavery was also banned,
but it did not say that blacks had the right to vote or to any other rights.
Another plan the Radicals passed in July 1864, was the Wade-Davis Bill. This bill was a
stricter version of Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty. In this bill a majority (51%) had to
take an oath to the United States and take part in drafting a new Constitution. Only
then could that state be remitted to the Union. The bill demanded that Confederates
swear past and present loyalty.
The Wade-Davis bill also required the new state constitutions to outlaw slavery and
declare the Confederate debt unpayable. Confederate bonds and money became
worthless. With the support of the moderates, Congress passed the Wade-Davis bill.
Congress then adjourned, however, and Lincoln refused to sign the bill. This defeated
the Wade-Davis bill. In January 1865, Lincoln compromised by proposing the Thirteenth
Amendment to outlaw slavery. Former Confederate states were required to ratify, or
formally approve, the amendment before rejoining the Union.amnesty and reconstruction to be approved by congress. In this
plan, 10% of those who voted in the election of 1860 had to take an oath proclaiming
their loyalty to the United States. Confederate states could then form a new
government and use a new constitution. In this proclamation, slavery was also banned,
but it did not say that blacks had the right to vote or to any other rights.
Another plan the Radicals passed in July 1864, was the Wade-Davis Bill. This bill was a
stricter version of Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty. In this bill a majority (51%) had to
take an oath to the United States and take part in...