What condition must a Confederate state meet to reintegrate into the Union under Johnson’s plan?

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Prepare for UCF's AMH2020 U.S. History exam. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with explanations. Get exam-ready now!

To reintegrate into the Union under President Andrew Johnson’s plan, a Confederate state was required to adopt a new state constitution that abolished slavery. This condition was pivotal because it aligned with the broader goals of Reconstruction, which aimed to reshape Southern society and dismantle the old social order based on slavery.

By having states create new constitutions, Johnson intended to ensure that they would be committed to the principles of the Union, including the abolition of slavery, as represented by the Thirteenth Amendment. This step was essential for the eventual admission of the states back into Congress and to reclaim their full rights within the federal system.

Therefore, adopting a new state constitution was not only a legal requirement but also a symbolic fulfillment of the Union's demands for a significant change in the Southern states' governance and societal norms.