Reconstruction was the main goal for many after the Civil War. However, various individuals and political parties had myriad conflicting beliefs about how to approach this reconstruction task. In terms of reconstruction, two ideas permeated the political field: who would have the authority to implement these changes and how national unity would be achieved. It is obvious that during this period the power held by the federal government will be challenged by the southern state governments. The struggles reflected the inability to reach a competing decision. During Johnson's presidency, Republicans disagreed with the meager actions toward former rebels. Republicans disagreed with the way the government made demands on Southern states. They were not quick punishments or adequate punishments. Republicans believed that these simple requests only emphasized that Union soldiers died in vain. In contrast, Johnson disagreed with the Republican idea of ​​expanding federal control and preferred to emphasize state rights. As part of the Democratic Party, he was lenient with former rebels and often criticized sympathizers. A lawsuit or series of laws in Southern states, known as Black Codes, were used to usurp Black freedom and federal control. Republicans realized that their goals were enshrined in the 14th Amendment. If blacks could vote and if Southern states were punished through decreased representation in the federal government, Republicans could retain political power. It appears that Republicans were wary of state government and favored Congress's right to control representation. This would certainly serve as a way to monitor various southern states. Federal support and protection of black rights have worked halfway on paper, eliminating government spending and eliminating what they see as a waste of federal money. In the past the Democratic Party influenced poor Southerners by exploiting economic instability and used this tension to force Southerners to disagree with the federal government which was influenced by Republicans at the time. The idea that government spending severely afflicted white farmers influenced them to join the Democratic cause. Our book argues that they actually used racial pride and social isolation to change the political scene in the Southern states. Without government regulation, due to what many believed was the North's abandonment, the Democratic strategy was complete. It seems that even though the roles have been reversed, these two political parties are still at odds and continue to clash over who holds the authority to enact changes in society.