Compare and contrast presidential reconstruction with radical republican reconstruction

President Johnson's reconstruction didn't protect freed slaves' rights and  pursued Lincoln's lenient plan against the South, whereas the Radical Republicans reconstruction divided southern states into districts ran by generals to allow for more protective and equal rights of African Americans, and wanted South severely punished since leniency might encourage slavery

Explanation:

President Johnson's plan:

- returned land after Civil War to landowners

- allowed southern leaders in Congress

- pardoned white southerners

- allowed Confederate leaders to lead states

- didn't allow for African Americans to have a say

Radical Republicans plan:

- fought for Freedman's Rights (equality);  under Freedman's Bureau - built schools, trained teachers, registered marriages, negotiated contracts for African Americans

- denied seating to Southern legislators

- argued Congress determines terms of Reconstruction

- sought to severely punish the South

- wanted to be tough on South (see Wade/Davis Bill 1864; 50% minimum loyalty, allow African Americans voting rights, institute military government, exclude Confederates from government, etc.)