What was a main cause of the division between Congress and the presidency during the Reconstruction era?

The main cause of the division between Congress and the presidency during the Reconstruction era stemmed from contrasting views on how to handle the Southern states after the Civil War, particularly regarding leniency and the conditions for their reintegration into the Union. President Andrew Johnson favored a more lenient approach towards the South, advocating for quick reconciliation and the restoration of their political rights, which he believed would help to heal the nation swiftly.

In contrast, Congress, particularly the Radical Republicans, sought to impose harsher terms on the Southern states to ensure civil rights for freedmen and prevent former Confederates from regaining political power. They were focused on implementing measures like the Reconstruction Acts, which required Southern states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing black male suffrage before they could be readmitted to the Union. This fundamental disagreement on the nature of Reconstruction policies created a significant rift between Congress and the presidency, leading to conflict over who should dictate the terms of Reconstruction.

This context highlights why the choice indicating Congress sought harsher terms for Southern states compared to Johnson correctly identifies the root of their division during this pivotal period in American history.