3+Asians+and+2+Others



__ **What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)** __ In order to reconstruct our divided nation we have set forth various policies that will hopefully reunify our Northern and Southern brethren. We believe that it is through a restored Southern economy, a mild treatment of notorious ex-confederates, a small scale occupation on the South, and a simple list of requirements for reintegration into the Union that will allow North and South to reunify and prosper as a whole.

What should be done to the ex-Confederates? Only the top ex-confederates will be put on trial for treason. However, before their trial they will be allowed to leave the United States as they please. This option will allow for the truly passionate and stubborn generals and other leaders such as Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederacy to leave as they choose. If they decide to stay, those who are found guilty will be persecuted to a lifelong sentence in prison. Ex-confederate generals and other leaders need to learn that they did not win the war, and they are not in charge. The property of these ex-confederates will be taken away and controlled by the government and distributed to poor southerners and freed slaves. This property is for those who need extra help and an extra push to move on with their lives. On these lands people will grow tobacco, wheat, cotton, and rice. With the flow of cash these poor whites and freedmen will earn, they will have to pay back the government over a course of 5 years. After the land is paid for, it is theirs to keep. We want to present an option in which everyone earns a little bit of something. Freedmen and poor southerns will receive land, which they will pay off with the money they earn on that land or other job they have, and ex-confederates will be allowed to leave the country if they wish to do so. With this plan, reunification is possible.

What should be done for the freedmen? The oppressive system of slavery has ended. But what is to be done with the newly freed men? Freed slaves should not only be released from their chains but shall be allowed to work, vote, and own property. There will be no Black Codes. Black people will not be fined, they will not be hired out as virtual slaves, they will not be prevented from buying land, and they will not be denied fair wages for work. Instead they will be presented with the opportunity to work and buy their own property. While no segregation is tolerated in government agencies and institutions, the same cannot be said about private institutions. With the implications of the new railroad in our economic policy, freed men will be able to help construct, maintain, and drive it. This railroad will provide jobs for these newly freedmen and will establish a foundation on which these men will learn how to work for money and not for whippings. Furthermore, black people are to be given the right to vote. Those who are educated will be able to vote for what they want in their future. With their natural rights and citizenship granted, and the additional human rights to work, vote, and own property freedmen will work their way into society and will be seen as normal hard working Americans rather than lowly slaves. Also with our “no segregation” policy, blacks and whites will learn to work effectively together. This however will take time, but great change cannot be made over night.

Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments? Voting and holding office. Two of the most important decisions that can be made. With our new reconstruction plans, equality is a top priority. After years of oppression, we believe that it’s time that African Americans got a say in what goes on in the country. To vote, literally the only requirement is being able to write your name. If you can do that, you can decide how your country is run. As for electing new officials, only those with a college education and have been a citizen for at least 10 years may run for office. Blacks are allowed to take part in elections, but must fulfill the same requirements. Ex-confederates must be able to provide proof that they didn’t take part in the Civil War, or harbor any hard feelings towards the North and it’s affiliates. With the help of you all, we foresee a bright and unified future for theUnited States of America.

What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation? The states would be integrated to the Union as a military occupied territories in the beginning of the reconstruction. Former confederate states to regain their full rights and representation **if and only if ** the former confederate follow the requirements. Our goal of the reconstruction is not to punish the former confederate states, but to reunite the nation as whole as quickly as possible, and enjoy the good old day under one unified government. However, some issues cannot be ignored, for there had been bloodshed. **Many lives were lost **. And ignoring this issue means that we are ignoring their dignified death. This is the time to settle the issues down once and for all. Today is the **Milestone ** that the United States will once again rise with the **Reunification. **

The one of the requirement is that no **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">former confederate officers ** hold **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">any governmental position. ** It is understandable that only leadership the south is familiar with is those who lead the war. However, the very person who made the misery of the states should not be a leader of the reunified nation. The second requirement is that former states need to pass at least 3**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">0% ** pledge to the Union and the **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">13th, 14th and 15th ** amendment as well as special amendment which states "more than half of citizen should be allowed to vote. The third is sending the children (both black and white) to same public school. This is mandatory and no segregation would be allowed. To fulfill the teachers in need, the northern teachers would help instructing the children. If these requirements are met for 10 years without many violence outbreaks. The states would regain their full rights and representation.

<span style="color: #ff9900; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">How should the Southern economy be restored? <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">After the defeat of the Confederates, hundreds of thousands of families were left without an income. In order to prevent ill resentment towards the North we must do what we can do help widows and their underprivileged families. Ideally, foreclosures would be stalled for 5 months. In order to convince banking institutions to stall foreclosures, we could give them banks tax breaks for 5 months.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">However, if owners choose to sell their land instead, then the Bank of United States can purchase the property for a low price. Land bought by the bank can then be broken up among freedmen. Property with agricultural potential will be given to freedmen under the condition that they will employ freedmen, pay 10 dollars per acre (after 5 years), and grow profitable crops such as: cotton, wheat, tobacco, and rice. Not only would they be producing materials that are necessary for the reconstruction of the economy, but they are also opening the doors for employment. Depending on the amount of people who wish to sell their land; tens of thousands of freedmen can find jobs in these farms.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">But before purchased property can be divided among freedmen a minimum wage must be set up. Federal law will state that the minimum wage for both men and woman (whites and blacks) are to be set at .10 cents/hour. However, if states choose to increase (NOT DECREASE) the standard minimum wage, they can. This will be put into effect so that people receive a fair pay.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">As we all know the South was practically completely destroyed during the Civil War. Most of the economic infrastructure was obliterated by Sherman and Union troops. Columbia in South Carolina (an important political and supply center for Confederates) was burned down to the ground. Atlanta, the industrial light of the south, was attacked, raided, evacuated, and burned down to the ground. It is because of the destruction of these important cities (along with their factories) and many other reasons that the South has economically been brought to the brink of an abyss. We must therefore help our southern brethren by rebuilding the key cities of the south.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">First, we must begin by employing both freedmen and whites for the cleaning and reconstruction of cities. Crumbled and all other severely destroyed buildings will be knocked down and a new foundation will be set. Taxes will immediately be increased in the South to HALF of what the Northerners are paying. After the South regains its footing, taxes will be increased to match those in the North. This revenue will be used to fund not only the reconstruction of cities, but also the employment of work forces that will be used to construct the project listed below.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">The South has learned that social etiquette and hospitality is not enough to help them go against the North, let alone enough to rebuild their economy. They know that if they wish to rebuild themselves, then they must come forth and make gradual steps towards innovation and industrialism.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">In order to put the South on the correct track we must both create jobs and find a way for the South to connect with the market up north. To provide both jobs and a connection to the North a railroad will be constructed.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">When the South was out of congress, Republicans passed the Transcontinental Railroad Bill of 1864, which allowed the construction of a railroad going from California all the way to Nebraska. In order to fund this new Southern train track I would cut back the construction of the transcontinental railroad by only funding the construction from California to Utah. The money that was going to be used from Utah to Nebraska, in combination from the revenue obtained from southern taxation, can be spent on the construction of the new railroad. The Southern railroad would begin in Washington D.C and then go through the capitals of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Since both Atlanta and Columbia are being reconstructed to become the industrial superpowers of the south, this railroad will help bring products from the South to the North. In addition, the railroad is going to create jobs for both freedmen and Southerners looking for a job. And it’s not the simple construction of the railroad that is going to create jobs. It’s the maintenance of the railroads, the construction of trains, the conducting of trains and the maintenance of those trains that are going to create jobs. Also, engineers and supervisors for the railroads can be Army veterans who had learned their trade keeping the trains running before and during the [|Civil War].

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Once the railroads have been constructed and the cities listed before (Columbia and Atlanta) have been completely cleaned up, then it is time for stimulation further industrial growth. Due to the government’s inability to construct factories in the key parts of the South it falls upon the government to give incentives for those who will create economic opportunities in the South.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">It is obvious that Northern entrepreneurs don’t want to create jobs; they want to create profits. To encourage Northerners to create factories in the South the Bank of the United States would give out loan to people who will go to the North and create factories and other outlets that will boost industrialism and the economy. Northern businessmen may feel intimidated about going to the South because of possible violence. However, there will be a minimum of 300 troops in Atlanta and Columbia. Therefore, businessmen can rest assure that they will remain safe and that they have a resource to promptly move their products up north.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Once, the cities have been cleaned up, the railroads constructed, and the factories are operating, then the final phase of the plan can be completed.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Land seized by convicted confederates will be used to create state universities. These universities will be bi-racial. No segregation is allowed in any government institution or institution that is funded by the state and/or federal government. Therefore, there can be no segregation in public schools, courthouses, hospitals, parks, etc. However, private institutions have the privilege to segregate; whether it be by race, ethnicity, or gender.

<span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Through these policies that the South can be brought to the 19th century and have the foundation and infrastructure top have a sound and safe economy. Also, the public institutions of learning will help people obtain the knowledge that is necessary for the establishing of institutions in areas such as: finance, health, education, and government. Once everything has been completed then the original plans for the Transcontinental Railroad will be completed and the taxes in the South will match those in the North.

<span style="color: #00ffff; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?

==== In order to reunify the country again, several things need to occur. Since our primary goal is reunification of the North and South, we plan to have equality throughout all the states. Since the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were passed, protecting the rights of the freedmen’s, no tolerance will be accepted doing otherwise. In order to boost the economy, one of our primary goals is to pursue the plan that was drafted, Transcontinental Railroad Bill of 1864, and build the railroad. In order to do so as well as maintain peace with the confederates throughout the brutally destroyed South, 500 Union soldiers will be dispatched to the capital of each southern state as well as the major cities that the railroad is going to run through such as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Roughly 300 will be placed in the capitals, 150 patrolling surrounding cities and at least 50 will be dispersed throughout each of the states in order to do an investigation on the Ku Klux Klan or KKK. If any chaos or violence occurs, they have the right to act as an armed police force in the South. Also, any unlawful act of segregation will not be permitted. All political and social organization that participate in illicit acts shall be removed. In order to maintain peace and prosperity, regulations and restrictions may be put on in the interest of protecting the citizens as well as opposing political parties. As soon as things decided to restore in the South, the Union troops will slowly, but surely be sent out of there, back to the North and the United States Army. ====

**<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt;">Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated) ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;">Our nation is at a crossroads, and unless we implicate the just and correct policies our nation risks becoming overwhelmed with even more problems and anguish. In order to reconstruct our divided house that is the United State we must stay true to the ideals listed above so that we can rekindle our friendship with our Southern brethren. For it is only restored, re-innovated, and re-strengthened Southern economy, along with a mild treatment of notorious ex-confederates, a small scale occupation of the South, and a simple list of requirements for reintegration into the Union that will allow North and South to reunify and prosper as a whole. <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #f40606; font-family: Georgia,serif;">1) I like all of your ideas including the idea of giving the land to the poor southerners and freedmen and then making them pay for the land over the next 5 years. 2) I agree with you for all of the idea about what to do with the freedmen. They are basically what we said in ours. 3) I think your ideas for who can vote and who can be able to run for office are good. There is one section that I do have a problem with. This section is when you say that all you have to be able to do to be able to vote is be able to write your name. I think that you should have to prove that you actually understand what each candidate is going to do if they get elected to office. <span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Most of population vote for certain candidates just because of the party or skin color etc. Do you remember when the Americans freaked out when the President Obama started to implement Universal Healthcare? <span style="color: #f40606; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> 4) I think all of your ideas for states to be readmitted are good. I thin k that they are good to weed out the states that are going to be a problem. 5) All of your ideas are excellent in order to restore the southern economy 6) These are all very good ideas. The KKK needs to be controlled. <span style="display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">I wouldn't mind if you were more critical about our solution. Really. Be a hardcore. Knock down every single detail you can find! I know that this plan is not the perfect plan. I would be happier to see hidden flaws in the plan. Thanks though for spending time to read our plan.