Question

Why did the federal government NOT accept responsibility for rebuilding the economy of the South?

Answer 1

The economic meltdown witnessed in the South required immediate post-war recovery interventions. Key issues that needed quick fix included rebuilding of the southern economy, restoration of the Union, and enactment of transformative legislation supporting the rights of freed slaves. However, the federal government initially led by president Lincoln and later by Andrew Johnson (acting on the former's blueprints) failed to accept rebuilding of southern economy due to the conflicting vision for managing reconstruction. The government focused on and emphasized Union restoration, contrasting the vision of Congress.