Radical Republicans and the Freedmen's Bureau: Reconstruction Efforts

The Radical Republicans were a faction within the Republican Party known for their strong opposition to enslavement and their advocacy for civil rights for Black people during and after the Civil War. Led by Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, they clashed with Presidents Lincoln and Johnson over the purpose of the war and post-war policies. They pushed for the abolition of enslavement and sought to punish the Confederates. Their conflict with President Johnson led to numerous vetoes, which they often overruled, passing significant legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 to enforce civil rights and ensure the ratification of the 13th and 14th Amendments.

How did the Radical Republicans view the Confederates after the Civil War?

What were the Reconstruction Acts and what did they require from rebel states?