In the post-Civil War era, several Reconstruction plans were proposed to address the reintegration of the Southern states into the Union and the status of newly freed African Americans. President Abraham Lincoln's approach favored leniency, while others called for stricter measures. The tensions between these viewpoints were evident during the implementation of various policies. As Congress sought a more rigorous strategy, they developed the Radical Republican plan, which significantly diverged from Lincoln's. Understanding these differing approaches is crucial to fully grasp the complexities of Reconstruction.
Based on this context, which of the following best describes a key element of the Radical Republican Reconstruction plan as compared to Lincoln's initial approach?