What best describes Thaddeus Stevens' political stance during the Reconstruction era?

Thaddeus Stevens is best described as a Radical Republican, which reflects his strong commitment to civil rights and social equality during the Reconstruction era. As a leader among the Radical Republicans, Stevens advocated for the swift and thorough reconstruction of the South after the Civil War. He pushed for policies that would ensure civil rights for freed slaves, including land redistribution and the protection of African American voting rights. His staunch opposition to President Andrew Johnson's more lenient approach to Reconstruction marked him as a significant figure in the struggle for equality and a key advocate for the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments, which aimed to secure citizenship and voting rights for African Americans.

This categorization as a Radical Republican distinguishes him from moderates and conservatives of his time, who advocated for less aggressive reforms and aimed for more gradual social change. In contrast to the more cautious approach of moderate Republicans, Stevens' efforts were characterized by a bold and uncompromising stance on issues of racial justice, aligning him firmly with the Radical Republican agenda.