As the Civil War came to an end in 1865 , President Abraham Lincoln wanted to see the country heal quickly from the four years of fighting. His proposal to bring the South back into the country became known as "Presidential Reconstruction." He wanted all former Confederate states to be admitted back into the Union after 10 % of the population promised loyalty to the United States. Also, the states would have to agree to abolish slavery . However, he did not live to see that happen. Instead, Reconstruction was controlled by Congress. Their plan was known as "Congressional Reconstruction," but sometimes it is referred to as "Radical Reconstruction." Politicians such as Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner wanted to punish the South for starting the war. Though they required states to pass amendments 13th, 14th, and 15 th, they also place the South under military rule. Southern states were also required to end all "Black Codes ", laws that denied basic rights to former slaves. Reconstruction would end in 1877 , but the wounds of the previous years would be a long time healing.