Given the success of Union forces in the field, on Monday, May 29, 1865 by presidential proclamation Andrew Johnson granted amnesty and pardons, with only a few exceptions, to all who directly or indirectly participated in the “existing rebellion.” All property rights were to be restored, except in the case of slavery and other special cases. A simply oath of allegiance to the Constitution and to federal law was all that was required. Such an oath for all was opposed by the Radical Republicans, who desired that only those who had never directly or indirectly supported the Confederacy be allowed to make such a statement. In essence, Johnson’s proclamation followed the pattern set by his predecessor; as such, it placed Andrew Johnson in direct conflict with the Radical Republicans.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.