Years Following the Civil War
...ablish themselves. This is where Stevens believed that Congress must intervene. Stevens said that “Dead men cannot rise themselves” and “Dead states cannot restore their existence as it was”. He believed that the rebel states’ futures depended upon the will and actions of the Union, noting Congress as the “only power that can act in the matter”. Stevens also suggested that Congress must create the states and decide when those states are entitled to be represented. This idea was a bright one, for if the Confederate states were given a say in government too hastily, it would have been disastrous to the Union. Thaddeus Stevens also noted that it was the duty of Congress to provide a proper civil government for each of the states. Because the south was still filled with the likes of many loyal Confederates, allowing the states to form their own governments would, in retrospect, put the nation in the same position as it was before the Civil War broke out. Although Stevens believed in keeping a watchful eye upon the southern states, he only believed in military rule for no longer that it was absolutely necessary. Stevens also believed that the states would not be ready for constitutional governments for some years, yet he noted their potential for being territorial governments for the time being. This too, would be a virtuous idea, as they could learn freedom, yet still tarnish upon their mistake of attempting to rebel. Stevens was also equally concerned with the future of some four million ex-slaves that were to be granted freedom. His concern also included the fact that the African-Americans had no money, no homes to retreat to, and basically no knowledge of the way of American life. Stevens said that the ex-slaves had no understanding of the laws of contract, or of managing business. This, in turn, would prevent the African Amer...