Reconstruction : The Reconstruction Era

The Reconstruction period is the name given to the time in between 1863 and 1877. This period’s main goal was to reunite the United States of America after the most substantial event of disunity in American existence: The Civil War. Reconstruction consisted of many proposed plans and attempts to reinstate the Southern states back into the union. In the early stages, there was some promise as to what reconstruction had the ability to accomplish, because some political groups had the right ideas about what was necessary to pick up the fragments of a war-torn nation, in order to reconstruct it into a prospering, free, and equal nation it had the potential to be. This reconstruction had had few successes and ultimately failed in the end—due to

In “Reconstruction Revisited”, Eric Foner reexamines the political, social, and economic experiences of black and white Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War. With the help of many historian works, Foner gives equal representation to both sides of the Reconstruction argument.

The first roar of the Civil War ended with a last gasp for air. Where in such a war more than six hundred twenty thousand men sacrificed their lives for their own belief in the abolishment of slavery (“Civil War Facts”). “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Baslor). These wise words of Abraham Lincoln cleared the way of a desolate trail of violence and pain, yet he was determined to accomplish his plans of abolishing slavery and creating equality. The Civil War, began in 1861 and ended in 1865, yet it was known as one of the bloodiest wars America has ever walked through compared to other American Wars (“Civil War Facts”). After the Civil War

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 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.

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.

Reconstruction was a time period following the Civil War that lasted from 1865 through 1877. Reconstruction was a challenging task for the United States because the government had to figure out how they would help four million slaves acquire the rights they deserved. This was such a difficult task because the North and South did not have the same views on African American rights. In hope to piece the Union back together Abraham Lincoln devised a plan that would ensure rights to the freedmen, but after Lincoln was assassinated Andrew Johnson was put in charge and had a racist opinion that did not include African Americans becoming equals. Congress’ Reconstruction efforts to ensure equal rights to the freedmen failed because of the activities

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.

I agree with the proposition “Reconstruction was a missed opportunity”. The period of Reconstruction was one of the biggest failure in the American history as it had affected the south both physically and economically. The south had their own pride. However, after being defeated by the north their pride was hurt. They viewed north and African- American population as the evil group. The Republican party had succeeded in ending slavery in the United States, but there was still much work to be done as the nation was separated. Lincoln’s assassination was also the main reason to the North’s failure to restore the country. After Lincoln's assassination , Andrew Jackson became the president. Jackson was not nearly as pro-Union as Lincoln, and within a short time Southerners became more active role in government and there was minimal Northern involvement

When Reconstruction began in 1865, a broken America had just finished fighting the Civil War. In all respects, Reconstruction was a time period of

By 1870, the Northerner lost interest in reconstructing the south. The north tried to reconstruct the south and change southerners attitudes about black people. Although they failed at this because many southerners were still racists and believed that the white race was superior to others, blacks were not as good as southern white men. To add to that, the Northerners lost interest in the reconstruction, which gave southerners a chance to gain control of their state governments again.

The Reconstruction Era, between the years of 1865-1877, was the difficult time because of post-war problems. The plan for the reconstruction of the South for Lincoln was to do so during the Civil War and form as Union soldiers. The Civil War was a time of anger between the north and the south. Although the war only lasted for four years, it was concluded as the bloodiest war and most importantly the result would affect the United States as a country forever. The outcome lasted in the Union winning, which was the north.

Reconstruction was a time of turmoil in the United States, and no area was more negatively impacted than the south. The decision made by the South to rejoin the Union after the Civil war was a decision met with criticism and rebellion. The Texans demonstrated the conflict and tension between the Union soldiers and Southern inhabitants, and for those reasons it was an accurate representation of life in 1865 Texas.

and in reality it was a demonstration of the failure to make a dependable political

In 1865, following after the civil war, the reconstruction period was underway. Reconstruction lasted from 1865 to 1877, which its primary purpose was to rebuild the nation and become unified. Reconstruction allowed four million slaves the chance to experience freedom for the first time ever before. Yet, during the process of rebuilding the South, it stirred up new substantial challenges. Sadly, many white union soldiers had complete control over areas of the South and demanded black southerners to follow their orders. Poverty, racism, segregation, and discrimination were major components and still continue today. To this day some people still dispute whether or not the era did indeed reconstruct America. However, I believe that reconstruction was a success because it allowed for America to be called the United States again. By becoming a unified nation, it was able to heal the battle wounds and scars caused from the war that took a dent in the nation. Reconstruction granted African Americans citizenship and voting rights, the Freedmen's Bureau allowed African Americans to recover from the war, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were ratified.