The Loyalty Oath during the Civil War

[PaigeBooth]

Hi Anita,

I am not extremely clear on this subject either, but here is my understanding:

During the course of the Civil War, apparently Congress hotly debated whether or not "Rebels" could be considered U.S. citizens again. When Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan came into effect, Confederate states who had at least 10% of the population sign an Oath of Allegiance could again return to the Union as a U.S. State. Thus, "Rebels" who swore loyalty could again become U.S. citizens. As far as consequences if someone did not swear loyalty, I can only assume they lost their right to vote (much like Robert E. Lee lost his right to vote.)