Economic, Social, and Political Effects of the Reconstruction Era

After the Civil War, America was still amidst great turmoil and economic instability. During this time period, the ultimate goal for Americans was to seize the “American Dream”. This was defined by most as being able to support their family and live a comfortable life. Although some did achieve this, many faced social, political and economic hardships. Beginning with the unjust treatment of African-Americans, then the struggles of immigrants, and followed by the rise of big businesses, the challenges faced during this time of rebuilding varied among the classes.

The reconstruction era was a time that then affected America in positive facets and negative aspects as well, and still affects America today. Thanks to the reconstruction era, there are several implementations that geared the world on the path in which it is today. Had it not been for some of the laws that were set in place African Americans may have not had many of the opportunities that were presented during the reconstruction period, therefore the years of oppression and cruelty might still be present.

After the Civil War the Unite States dealt with the after math of rebuilding the country. The Reconstruction, which was from 1865 to 1877, was the period in which the country attempted to reunite the South and North. The conditions of the North and South were different because of many things, especially there economic stands. The North during this time depended on factories and other modern companies as their main source of wealth. The South was more dependent on farming and agriculture.

After the war, the government tried to solve key problems facing the nation. The 10% Plan was proposed by Abraham Lincoln and its purpose was to end Reconstruction quickly. It pardoned all Ex-Confederates in the South as long as they apologized, it would only need ten percent of the voters in each state to swear allegiance to the Union, and did not offer any type of equality to the Freedmen. The 10% Plan was a short-term effect because Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865, and after he was killed and Vice President Andrew Johnson took over the idea of the 10% Plan disappeared. Another attempt to end Reconstruction by the government was proposed by the Radical Republicans in congress and was the complete

The Reconstruction Era occurred between 1866 and 1877, immediately following the Civil War between the Northern and Southern states. The Reconstruction Era brought change to not only the American economy, society, and government, but significant changes to the lives of African Americans as well. Lincoln’s assassination in April 1865 impacted conditions for African Americans in the post-war period through political and social changes in the Reconstruction Era; which ranged from a new array of rights to many new opportunities in society.

The Union won!This is great for the north, however what is next for the Confederate army. With slaves becoming freedmen and the south destroyed after total war, a lot was to be done after the civil war. A solution to this was Reconstruction. Reconstruction was a period in american history from 1865 to 1877 lasting twelve years (Foner). Reconstruction after the war caused many social, political, and economic changes to the newly formed union.

The period after the Civil War was a very difficult time in the United States' history. This time was known as the Reconstruction period and it was a very controversial time. There were many issues that had to be addressed such as what to do with the free blacks in the south and how states would be readmitted to the Union. This era saw the rise of the Radical Republicans. The government was going through changes, southerners were going through changes, and blacks were going through changes. Whites in the south were left without people to work their plantations. Slavery was indeed a very important topic during this time. Many of the reconstruction plans that were proposed required states to prohibit slavery in order to be readmitted to

The United States changed dramatically during the reconstruction period. After the reconstruction period, the United Stated continued to adjust well as we see it change economically and politically. Though the adjustment continued to go well, the change that occurs after reconstruction is emphasized with industrialization and the impact that industrialization has in certain regions of the U.S and on the people. Along with the new economy came with complications that affected the improvement of conditions in work and in life.

Lincoln's main goal was to reunite the Union after the North had won and demolished most of the South. Lincoln wanted to reunite the North and South but the South didn't want to join a slave free north. Lincoln came up with the 10 percent plan which required 10 percent of the state’s population to vote to be loyal to the North and then that state would have to create a new government. The southern states combated this plan with the Wade-Davis Bill which stated that reconstruction would be handed over to congress and the Southern States

Until this day, the American Civil War is still one of the most prominent wars that was ever fought in America. The war was first caused by the disagreement between the Federalists and Anti-federalists regarding on how the United States should be governed. Soon, the war began and gunshots exploded the country everyday. The war continued on for several years and in 1865, the war finally ended and America was already torn into pieces. Following the war, the Congressmen had to recover from its loss and settle the disagreements that existed in Congress in order to prevent another war from happening. Therefore, the Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteenth Amendments, also known as the Reconstruction Amendments were passed as an attempt to achieve peace

The Civil war was possibly the greatest tragedy that this country had ever faced. Years of constant arguing, compromises and cynical ideas about slavery pushed this so called "United Nation" into an atrocious collision between the Northern abolitionists and the Southern proslavery farmers and plantation owners. The nation suffered enormous losses economically and went into a downward spiral. The reconstruction period began with many leaders stepping up to try and fix this crippled country, but it didn't turn out like everyone hoped. Slavery was still the largest issue and the reconstruction halted because of the disagreements the people faced. After many years of

America was in disarray following the events of the Civil War. Southern economy was in shambles while congress was struggling to find a middle ground between the radical republicans and Lincoln’s lenient policies. Many Southerners faced the aftermath of uprooting their society and their way of life while thousands of newly freed slaves struggled to find a way to support themselves. The country needed a strong leader, however on the 14th of April, 1865 President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in the Ford Theatre in Washington (Farmer). Without the man that had once held the nation together, the country now faced an enormous obstacle; reconstructing American economics, politics and social life.

In Appomattox Court House, 1865, the Civil War concluded, ushering in the Reconstruction Era. Approximately one week after, John Wilkes Booth, a radical southerner, assassinated President Lincoln. The Reconstruction Era, which ended when Rutherford B Hayes ceased its enforcement to keep the peace, was a time for the country to consolidate and forgive the wrongs of the past. This Reconstruction period included many lasting effects on the governing of America. However, it shattered the welfare of southerners, Freedmen, and the general public. Additionally, discrimination ran rampant in the newly reunited country. Reconstruction was successful in the government, but not fiscally nor with public unity.

Lincoln’s Plan was called Ten-Percent Plan, which was offered forgiveness for any southern who demonstrate loyalty to the Union and support of the freedom of slaves. “When 10 percent of a state’s voters in the election of 1860 had taken the oath to the United States, they could develop a new state government, which would be required to abolish slavery.” (Schultz, p. 277, 2009) After Lincoln’s assassination, Johnson was next in line to take up responsibilities. Johnson revealed his plan for Reconstruction such as scraping the 40-acres and a mule plan for the charter of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and establish a strong oath that many southerners could receive a allowance for their participation in the rebellion. As a result a governor would control

With the abolishment of slavery came the industrial revolution came into affect in the south. African Americans worked in cotton, tobacco, and flour mill factories. The workers depended on there factory owners for their jobs, houses, and food. While working twelve hours six days a week in fairly poor work conditions and only making minimum wages. African Americans also did what is known as doing sharecropping with a former slave owner or with a farmer. Sharecropping is whenever a farmer gives you acres of land that you must maintain to and you have to pay for your own supplies. The only way they didn’t have to pay for there tools was if the farm owner let them borrow it or not if the farmer let you borrow it you had to pay it off. If he could not pay off for the tools that he borrowed he would then have to work in order to pay the farmer back. So basically it was like slavery except the sharecropper got payed more and they had there own home unless they could not afford to build one then they stayed with person they were sharecropping