Johnson vs. Stevens

President Andrew Johnson and Congressmen Thaddeus Stevens argued about whether the South should be put under military control and made to give African Americans civil rights.  Here are their arguments.

Andrew Johnson

"If we establish military governments in the South, we will divide the people into vanquishers and the vanquished, and then, we will have created a poisonous hatred rather than restored affection between the North and the South."

  -----  Andrew Johnson

Thaddeus Stevens

"The future condition of the conquered South depends on them.  They must come in as new states or remain as conquered provinces.  Congress is the only power that can act in this matter."

  -----  Thaddeus Stevens

Answer the following question in your small groups.  Have one typer, click on comment and type the groups answers.  Use your homeroom and group number as your name.

How did Andrew Johnson and Thaddeus Stephens disagree on using military control in the South?  Why do you think they disagreed?  What reasons did each of them have for their opinions?