Who was a leading figure of the Radical Republicans, advocating for strict punishments for the South?

Thaddeus Stevens was a prominent leader of the Radical Republicans during the Reconstruction era, who was known for his advocacy of strong measures against the Southern states following the Civil War. He was a staunch supporter of civil rights for freedmen and believed that the Southern states should face severe repercussions for their rebellion against the Union. Stevens pushed for policies that would not only punish the South but also ensure the protection and integration of formerly enslaved people into American society through measures such as land redistribution and the establishment of civil rights.

His commitment to equality and justice for African Americans, along with his belief that the South should be restructured socially and politically, positioned him as a significant figure in shaping the Radical Republican agenda. Other figures mentioned, such as Frederick Douglass and Charles Sumner, also played important roles in advocating for civil rights; however, Stevens is specifically recognized for his outspoken and confrontational approach toward the legislation that sought to impose strict measures on the Southern states after the Civil War. Andrew Johnson, on the other hand, often clashed with the Radical Republicans, as he favored a more lenient approach to Reconstruction.