The reconstruction after the Civil War lasted until about 1877. Many people suffered during this period of time. Property damage was done to farms, factories and railroads. During this time the economy was weakened because of the pillaging. Some economic hardships included destruction of the credit system and worthlessness of the Confederate money. The political, social, and economic conditions after the Civil War defined the goals of the First Reconstruction. At this time the Congress was divided politically on issues that grew out of the Civil War: Black equality, rebuilding the South, readmitting Southern states to Union, and deciding who would control government.
             In the South, Reconstruction meant rebuilding the economy, establishing new state and local governments and a new social structure between whites and blacks. During the war Lincoln had expanded his presidency. With his power he hoped to set up loyal governments in the Southern states that were under Union control. Lincoln appointed new temporary governors and instructed each to call a convention to create a new state government. He did this as soon as a group of the state's citizen totaling 10 percent of the voters in the 1860 presidential election had signed oaths of loyalty to the Union. Under this plan new governments were formed in Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas, but the Congress refused to recognize them. Republicans in Congress did not want a quick restoration, because it would bring Democratic representatives and senators to Washington.
             In 1864 Congress passed the Wade-Davis Reconstruction Bill. This bill would have delayed the process of rejoining the Union until 50 percent of the people took an oath of loyalty. However Lincoln pocket vetoed the bill. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated just as the South surrendered in April 1865, and then Andrew Johnson inherited the problem of Reconstruction. Johnson supported Lincoln's plan after taking...