Which group in Congress was characterized by its push for harsher measures against the South after the Civil War?

The Radical Republicans were known for their strong commitment to civil rights and their belief that the federal government should take an active role in the Reconstruction of the South following the Civil War. This group advocated for significant reforms, including the protection of the civil rights of formerly enslaved people and a more aggressive stance against Southern states that resisted these changes. They believed that a harsh approach was necessary to address the injustices of slavery and to ensure that the South would not revert to its pre-war ways.

Their initiatives included the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Reconstruction Acts, which aimed to reshape Southern society and ensure that African Americans were granted full citizenship and voting rights. The Radical Republicans were often at odds with more moderate factions in Congress who were more inclined to seek reconciliation with the South and who favored less stringent measures for Reconstruction. Their determination to impose strong measures is what distinctly characterized them and defined their legacy during this transformative period in American history.