Radical Reconstruction exemplified the tension between the contract and compact theories of political thought, as it focused on the interactions that should exist between the state and the federal government. The contract theory prioritizes the social contract formed by individuals, with the U.S. Constitution serving as a prime illustration by outlining the interactions between the states and the federal government. Conversely, compact theory posits that the federal government arises from the states, asserting that in any disputes, states are the ultimate deciders. This debate was pivotal in discussions about how much authority the federal government could exercise in relation to re-integrating the Confederate states, approving the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and establishing federal control over these former Confederate territories.
