What did the 10% Plan propose as a condition for Southern states to return to the Union?

The 10% Plan proposed that a Southern state could be readmitted to the Union once 10% of its voters, based on the 1860 election rolls, took an oath of loyalty to the United States. This approach was designed by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War as a way to encourage a swift and lenient Reconstruction. The idea behind the plan was to promote reconciliation and make the process of rejoining the Union easier for states that had seceded, thereby shortening the conflict and rebuilding the nation.

This 10% criterion was indicative of Lincoln's moderate stance on Reconstruction, aiming to undermine the Confederacy without punishing the Southern states too harshly. It provided a clear and achievable threshold for states to work towards, encouraging them to foster loyalty among their populace. While it did not immediately lead to the full restoration of state governments or the complete resolution of issues related to slavery, it established a foundational step for reintegration.