How did the nature of Reconstruction change from 1865 to 1877, and what were the key issues that northerners had to address in order to reconstruct the South? How did President Johnson's plan differ from that of congressional Republicans?

Reconstruction changed from 1865-1877. There were several plans of Reconstruction that were presented. President Johnson had a plan that some people felt was too easy on the South. He proposed offering amnesty and a return of people’s property if the southern people pledged loyalty to the United States. However, former Confederate leaders would have to apply directly to President Johnson in order to receive amnesty. Temporary state governments would be established. These governments would have to approve the Thirteenth Amendment and reject secession in their newly written state constitutions. His plan didn’t give the former slaves many freedoms since he wanted the states to handle this issue.
The Radical Republicans in Congress had a much stronger plan for rebuilding the South. The initially wanted to deny voting rights to former Confederate leaders. They wanted to take land from the plantation owners and give it to the former slaves. They also wanted to give voting rights to African American males and to provide federal money for schools for African Americans.
Radical Republican reconstruction did lead to several laws being passed. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 gave full citizenship to African Americans. The Freedmen’s Bureau was created to help the former slaves adjust to being free. The Freedmen’s Bureau provided food, clothing, and medical care to the former slaves. Special courts were eventually established allowing the Freedmen’s Bureau to prosecute people who violated the rights of African Americans. The Reconstruction Act of 1867 split the South into five military districts to oversee the process of rebuilding the South. Former Confederate leaders couldn’t hold office, and African American males could vote in state elections. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution were ratified. The Fourteenth Amendment said that people who were born in the United States were citizens and had the rights of citizenship. The Fifteenth Amendment said a person couldn’t be denied the right to vote because of their color or having been a former slave.
Once the Radical Republican reconstruction plan was established, the process of rebuilding the South began. Southern states did write new state constitutions and were readmitted to the Union. Industries were built in the South to help diversify the southern economy. African American males had more rights, such as voting rights. They were also able to run for office. The South was being rebuilt as a result of the Reconstruction plans.
As time passed, interest in Reconstruction waned. Some of the people who pushed for Reconstruction were no longer in office. The North was getting tired of dealing with Reconstruction. When there was a dispute with the results of the election of 1876, a plan was developed to resolve the dispute. The Compromise of 1877 allowed Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate, to become President. In return, Reconstruction would end, and the military would leave the South.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/35a.asp

https://www.ushistory.org/us/35b.asp