Question

The largest difference between Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan and the Wade-Davis Bill passed by the Radical Republicans is the percentage over voters required to take the oath. Lincoln required 10% while the Wade-Davis Bill only accepted "a majority" (51%). What are some other differences in the two plans for Reconstruction?

Answer 1

The largest difference between Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan and the Wade-Davis Bill is the percentage of voters required to take the oath. The Wade-Davis Bill required a majority (51%) while Lincoln required 10%. The Wade-Davis Bill also included additional provisions such as barring Confederates from voting and serving in the new government and repudiating the Confederate government's debt.

Step-by-step explanation:

The largest difference between Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan and the Wade-Davis Bill passed by the Radical Republicans is the percentage of voters required to take the oath. Lincoln required 10% while the Wade-Davis Bill required a majority (51%). In addition to this difference, the Wade-Davis Bill included provisions that barred Confederates from voting and serving in the new government, repudiated the Confederate government's debt, and required voters to swear an "iron-clad" oath of past and future loyalty. Congress would only readmit reconstructed states if they followed these steps. On the other hand, Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan was more lenient in its requirements and was aimed at a quick reconciliation and restoration of the Union.