International+Justice+League+of+Super+Acquaintances



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 * 1) ** What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis) ** The south and North will be united once again by use of as little military force as possible, showing leniency towards the south, while winning over their population through a series of government programs which reward those who cooperate with the government, receiving incentives such as tax-breaks and subsidies, and other perks.
 * 2) What should be done to the ex-Confederates? The former Confederates are a major issue presented at the end of the Civil War. To keep America from revisiting this a simulation similar from post Civil War, all Confederate officers, generals, and infantry, as well as all wealthy and influential Confederate supporters will not be eligible to run for office. The Southern citizens will be allowed to keep their voting rights and will not have any of their natural rights violated. As for the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, whom was caught fleeing to Mexico shall be tried for treason and if found guilty by the Supreme Court, he shall be sentenced to life in prison at Eastern Pennsylvania State Prison. More justice will also be served when the Confederate Vice President, Alexander Stephens, and along with the governors of Southern states who also seceded are tried for their actions. It is essential to show compassion by not executing their leader. The only accomplishment of killing Davis would only create anger throughout the South. It is absolutely critical that the Northern United States' reputation appear that they only wish to bring back the revolting country into its welcoming arms. The North will eventually Southerns able to run for office when the heated topic of the Civil War and slavery dies down. Until then, the stated punishments and rules will be put in effect until further notice.
 * 3) What should be done for the freedmen? I believe the freedmen should have the same amount of rights as much as a regular citizen has. They are also human beings also. Sure we have different skin colors, but we should all get the same rights if we all live in the same country. The freedmen were the country, so we should give them a chance. But becoming a citizen won't be very easy. They have to go through a certain process. A background check to see if they have been good or not. If they have a bad background, then they don't become citizens. What if they don't want to stay in the country? One more way to make them citizens and equal rights as much as everyone else is they must be on probation for a certain time period. If they do not follow rules and cause trouble, treason, or any other acts that go against the country or hurt others around them in any way, shape, or form, the consequences will be harsh. Such as jail or the death penalty. The freedmen better know what they are getting in. One wrong move and it's bye bye to their citizenship. No second chances!
 * 4) Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments? The political arena after the Civil War was very touchy in the South. The South was very bitter after their defeat and politics were a quick way to get back at the North. However, to prevent this, and to spread equality across the land, black people should be given the vote. The North was the victor and their principles should be the ones put in to effect. Nevertheless, the ex-Confederates should be allowed to vote, but not hold office. If all of their rights were taken away, it would be very hypocritical and would cause the animosity to resume. If the ex-Confederates were to be allowed to hold office, America would end up in the same situation immediately. They would be aiming to spite the North, black people would be re-enslaved, and there would be little change. They would still be upset about not being able to hold office, but a punishment is necessary for men who committed such a high crime as treason. The usual punishment for treason is death, so the Confederates would be getting off easy if they are limited to a revocation of political rights. This partial revocation of political rights should suffice to punish and protect, without drastically affecting harmony between the two sections. There would be assured disunity, but it is best to limit that while still protecting the Constitution and the country.
 * 5) What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation? It would be best that the southern states be readmitted quickly, so that they do not feel excluded from the government. For the Southern states to be readmitted, they must first ratify the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendment, and must also have 20% of the population of each state pledge their loyalty to the Union, as well as accepting all the reconstruction legislation that the North puts forth. They must also submit governments in which no ex-confederates hold office, the confederates will not be denied voting rights, so they will still be represented, but they can not hold office.
 * 6) How should the Southern economy be restored? Following the Civil War, the South was basically a desolate wasteland after Sherman’s strategic “sea raid”. Now we are essentially hand in hand again we must make our relationship better if we want to be one prosperous nation. With virtually no way the South can get money, the South has almost no means of recovering itself to its former Gone With The Wind “state”. The Northerners must understand that the government is trying to make a stable relationship with the South. They must not try to oppress the South and raise any more tension. Before anything happens, the South must get a six-month tax break so they can get recuperate. And during that time, the North can start to make some reforms to better the South. At this moment, the South has nothing to really offer other then some charred up crops and land, but the South is now abundant with “ready to be employees”. The only difference, that must be noted, is that EVERYONE is free. There are no more slaves, only equal workers. The logical thing to do would first to have employment. The Southern landowners should have the choice to sell their lands to the banks or they could keep it and employ freedmen at a reasonable salary. If the employers decide to keep their land and employ freedmen, they could get incentives. Say the government has an inspection of the working conditions of the employees, they could get extend their tax breaks a while longer. The obvious choice is to treat the workers well and it benefits all sides. The freedmen will finally actually work for themselves, the Southern plantation owners will pay fewer taxes, and the relationship between the North and the South should strengthen. If the landowners decide to sell their land to the banks, the banks should then sell cheaply, or even give, the land to freedmen. The main idea is to have good relations with the South and show them compassion.
 * 1) What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South? The army presence in the south should be one of gradually pulling out troops. The union army will undertake a recruiting campaign in the south, forming units made up of southern men loyal to the union, led by northern union officers to ensure that things are operated correctly. Though these recruits will be seen as scalawags, and looked down on as northern sympathizers, less resentment will be felt than there would be towards a foreign army. Through this system, the south is also gradually being turned in favor of the union. The Army should also be assigned to watch over certain politicians, who may be targeted by the Ku Klux Klan or other anti-black/anti Republican aggressors. The army should also undertake public works projects to rebuild the south, so that they are seen in a positive light by southerners, while also making them feel self-reliant since these forces will consist of many new southern recruits. Things such as repairing railroads, which will not only improve relations between North and South, but will help to restore the shattered southern economy. This also allows union troops to occupy the South, while not being regarded as just menacingly lording over the southerners, being a symbol of peace and forgiveness, rater than resentment and oppression, an outstretched hand, instead of a mailed fist.

Dear International Justice League of Super Acquaintances,
 * 1) Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated) The south and North will be united once again by use of as little military force as possible, showing leniency towards the south, while winning over their population through a series of government programs which reward those who cooperate with the government, receiving incentives such as tax-breaks and subsidies, and other perks.

I enjoyed reading all of your responses. In regards to the first one, you stated “The North will eventually Southerns able to run for office when the heated topic of the Civil War and slavery dies down. Until then, the stated punishments and rules will be put in effect until further notice.” Are you saying that no southerners should be able to run for office, or just the generals responsible for secession? Next, while talking about the freedmen, you said “they must be on probation for a certain time period.” Your reasoning for this was to make sure they obeyed the laws, but should it really be such a hassle for them to be counted as members of the country where many of them have peacefully lived for generation? I really liked your section dealing with rebuilding the southern economy. I had never thought about giving the South a tax break, but that is a really good idea.

-Andrew