After the Civil War, President Andrew Johnson offered a general amnesty to most former Confederates. However, he excluded high-ranking Confederate officials and wealthy Southern planters (those with property worth over $20,000) from automatic pardon. This move reflected Johnson’s belief that the wealthy elite of the South were largely to blame for leading the secession and causing the war. While these individuals could still apply for a presidential pardon, they were not granted automatic amnesty like others.hope this helps