What was the primary goal of Presidential Reconstruction?

The primary goal of Presidential Reconstruction was rooted in restoring the Union rather than punishing the South or fully addressing the civil rights of freed slaves. After the Civil War, the focus was on quickly reintegrating Southern states back into the Union with minimal changes to their existing social structures.

The plan implemented by President Andrew Johnson sought to facilitate a speedy restoration of the South while allowing these states to establish their own governments, often leading to the continuation of discriminatory practices against black citizens. Johnson's approach emphasized leniency towards the Southern states, which ultimately resulted in the implementation of Black Codes—laws designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of former slaves, thereby allowing continued discrimination and oppression.

In contrast, other options suggest goals that were broader or more punitive, which did not align with the actual intentions of Presidential Reconstruction during this period.