Radical Republicans were a political group of Northerners who supported freedom and rights for past slaves and a reconstruction of the South. They disagreed with the Civil War and were strong abolitionists looking to save the South from their economic and social issues. Before the war, their stances on issues caused great splits in the political scene. After the secession of the South, they gained great power and had control of the government after they returned. They proposed the Wade-Davis Bill which called for Southern citizens’ willingness to become part of the Union again, but were unfortunately turned down by Abraham Lincoln. After Lincoln died, there was a great period of power for the Radicals run by Johnson but permanently declined
