The Reconstruction Era

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.

The other major race that suffered during this time was African Americans. They had previously been released from slavery, but now they were facing social injustice. Jim Crow laws, were formed, which created stereotypes about blacks being inferior to the white race once again. White bathrooms, and water fountains were constructed along with separation in schools between the races. African Americans “were denied the most basic freedom that democracy promises”(Alexander) under these laws. Everywhere people went separation was found among the whites, and blacks. By creating these laws the American government set the process for the unity of the races backwards. People did not have the opportunity to unite because they were bound by law to be separated. This era created separation of the races, from the very beginning. The government, and white Americans were only concerned about their well-being, and therefore, separated themselves from anyone, and anything that they felt would harm their success and power.

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 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 was a period of time after the civil war of 1865-1877. The President and later the Congress would both put forth ideas and initiatives. Legislative responses and shifts in political power would mark this era with moderate success but in the end, a failure.

The Civil War and Reconstruction periods had many positive outcomes for America, such as the reunification of the Union, the expansion of the North and South’s economy, education for all, and much more. Although there were many positive results from these two periods, there was also an aftermath of much failure. The post Civil War, and Reconstruction period consisted of the formation of the Ku Klux Klan and the black code laws. Despite the fact that African American’s were no longer slaves, in many ways they were still not free. Furthermore, the creation of things such as the Ku Klux Klan and the black codes created high tension between the black and white races, a tension that can be argued is still present in modern day America. This essay will examine the aspects of how the post Civil War and Reconstruction period was a failure with regards to social, economic and political, and radical development for newly freed slaves.

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.

By definition, the American Dream is “the traditional social ideals of the US, such as equality, democracy, and material prosperity.” Many events from past decades, surrounding the idea of Civil Rights, have changed America’s idea of the definition of the American Dream. Out of many time period, I am going to compare the American Revolutionary War, the Reconstruction Era, and the Progressive Era on how each period affected the change of the idea of Civil Rights in the American Dream.

As a nation, America has gone through many things including war and political changes. People in the United States went through much throughout history. The people that once lead this country had different intentions and targets. One moment in history that was very important and very influential today is the Reconstruction Era. The Reconstruction Era was a time period that contains many accomplishments, failures, leaders, and aims. There were many events in this era which made people call it a failure and a success. In the year of 1865, right after the Civil War, Reconstruction began. The Reconstruction Era was known as the time of “repair” after the civil war. At that time, the leader of the nation was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln wanted the south to join the Union so he freed the African Americans. When looking at the Reconstruction Era, there are many events that make up this era such as the reconstruction amendments, the freedman’s bureau, and the Ku Klux Klan.

As the great Civil War of 1861 came to a close many in our country knew a plan to rebuild and reconstruct our land and laws was needed. Unfortunately there were many opposing ideas of the correct Reconstruction plan making it difficult for our president to instate something concrete. It is well known that Lincoln, Johnson and the Radical Republicans all had similar but different ideas of what needed to be done. The ordeal was messy and heavily induced by the radical response and assassination of Lincoln, inducting Johnson into office. Many attempts to help those of lower class failed but some came through in the end. The ideas of Reconstruction were long and thought out but by the 1870s waned down to make room for

Over 150 years ago, the slaves were proclaimed free by President Lincoln. However many people even today still consider the african-americans under the bindings of slavery and barred from true freedom. The african-american slaves were brought to America while it was still being colonized to replace the rather expensive indentured servants. They were sold into slavery to carry out often harsh chores and tasks for their owner. Eventually, a civil war broke out between the north and south over the south not wanting slavery to be abolished. However, the south lost and President Lincoln established the Emancipation Proclamation, which completely freed the slaves. The period following the civil war, known as reconstruction, was a failure due to the fact that the newly freed slaves still experienced inequality, racism, and exclusion.

After the Civil War came to an end and the military conflict had ended, the Reconstruction period started, which was in many ways still a war. This vital battle was waged by radical northerners who wanted to chastise the South and Southerners who badly wanted to preserve their way of life. The Reconstruction period was a time of great pain and endless questions. What was to be the place of freed blacks in the South? Did Abolition mean that black men would now enjoy the same status as white men?9 At the dawn of the 20th century, nine out of ten African Americans lived in the South. Jim Crow laws of segregation ruled the land. The Supreme Court upheld the power of the Southern states to create two "SEPARATE BUT EQUAL" societies with its 1896

The Reconstruction Era was a period in American history distinguished by the efforts of many to rebuild the South after the end of the Civil War. Following the end of the Civil War, the South was left in an abominable state. Railroad tracks were ruined, homes were destroyed and even previously large bustling cities such as Charleston, Richmond, and Fredericksburg were left devastated. Economically, the South continued to fall since Southern money was now useless. Because it was essential to repair the South and reunite the Nation, Lincoln started the Reconstruction (1865-1877). These efforts, however, were in vain since the Reconstruction was a failure. Black Codes, secret societies restricted the rights of Blacks and the South continued to

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.

In the United States history, the word Reconstruction Era has been considered in two intellects: the first comprises the comprehensive history of the whole country during the period of 1865 to 1877 subsequent to the Civil War; the second sense emphases on the alteration of the Southern United States, as engaged by Congress, from 1863 to 1877, with the rebuilding of society and state.