What is the primary difference between Presidential and Congressional reconstruction?

In understanding the primary difference between Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction, the focus is on the approach taken towards the integration of the Southern states back into the Union following the Civil War. Presidential Reconstruction, primarily under President Andrew Johnson, was indeed milder and more lenient compared to Congressional Reconstruction.

This leniency was evident in the way Johnson offered amnesty and the opportunity for Southern states to rejoin the Union relatively quickly, with minimal requirements. He implemented a plan that allowed Southern states to create new governments and establish themselves without significant federal intervention or safeguards for the rights of freedmen, the newly emancipated African Americans.

In contrast, Congressional Reconstruction, led by the Radical Republicans in Congress, marked a significant shift. This approach was characterized by more stringent measures. It was aimed at transforming Southern society, implementing civil rights protections, and ensuring political representation for freedmen. Congressional Reconstruction included the establishment of military districts in the South, which required states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing African American men the right to vote, thus reflecting a more robust commitment to equality and civil rights.

The differences are stark: Presidential Reconstruction favored a swift reintegration of the Southern states with lenient policies, while Congressional Reconstruction sought to enforce civil rights and support for freedmen more rigorously. This