...Major damage was done to the South during the Civil War, so Reconstruction was done to mend the war devastation. While repairs were being done for the ruined South, Reconstruction has even met some opposition; those obstacles served to have as much long-term effects on Reconstruction as the support. Because of the events that affected Reconstruction, there has been debate on whether Reconstruction was a success or failure. Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War was, despite some of its successes, was a failure in history, because of Andrew Johnson’s Presidency, interference by the white people who were against Reconstruction, the Democrat party, and what happened with the rights of the Afro-Americans. To begin with, Andrew Johnson...
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...The Reconstruction Era was during the time of 1865-1877 lasting 12 years. Previously before the reconstruction era Abraham Lincoln was re-elected President of the United States with Andrew Johnson as his Vice- President. After Lincoln and Johnson were inaugurated the Confederacy later collapsed. During this time the Civil War had just ended, in result approximately 4 million slaves were allowed their freedom.(Source) However, after the Civil War ended no reconstruction plan was put into effect causing Lincoln to come up with proposals to rebuild America. Lincoln did not live to put his proposals to test; John Wilkes Booth assassinated him on April 14, 1865 allowing Andrew Johnson in May to take over his Presidency. Moreover, Johnson started...
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...were about four million former slaves freed. The South was greatly damaged by the brutal war, therefore, the southern government set up a reconstruction plan to reinvigorate the society. During the reconstruction, there were great social, economic, and political problems faced by the government. The most direct challenge the president and leader in congress was facing was getting food and other help to the free slaves. Since this vast majority of slaves were working on the farm day and night before and were treated as objects. These freemen had no money, no education, no place to live, nor skill to work. Many of the freemen were facing poverty, hunger and homelessness. Another challenge for the government was...
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...The Reconstruction Era that occurred several years after the Civil War was proved to be a difficult time for many americans. Some people agree that the Reconstruction was successful in some ways, but people also agree that the Reconstruction failed socially, economically, and politically. There were not many ways in which the Reconstruction was successful. Before the Reconstruction Era occurred, congress added the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the United States constitution. The 13th amendment states that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or and place subject to their jurisdiction…” (Doc B) This would mean...
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...The reconstruction era was from 1865 to 1877. The reconstruction era was exactly what it sounds like; a time a reconstruction. This was a time where rebuilding the United States was vital for the success of letting the south become a part of the Union again. Temporary governors that were army generals were placed in the South. In the end of 1863 Lincoln formulated a plan to re-establish governments in states liberated from Confederate rule (583). Lincolns plan, at the end of 1863, consisted of Amnesty and Reconstruction. Any confederate state could achieve this if there is a number equal to 10 percent of those who scored allegiance to construction and the union in 1860. Pardons were denied for the following; Confederate government officials,...
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...Chapter 15: Reconstruction, 1863-1877 After the Civil War was over, many problems still remained; most importantly the rebuilding of the damaged South and the placement of freed slaves. President Abraham Lincoln set up a process for reconstruction but he was assassinated before he was able to fully put it into action. Vice President Andrew Johnson took over and created his own plan that was similar to Lincoln's; he was supported by many Republicans and pardoned many Confederate leaders that allowed them to be back in office. All 11 states were allowed back into the Union within 8 months and they created “Black Codes” that restricted the rights of former slaves in the United States. This caused a large divide once again and lead the adoption...
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...The reconstruction era was a time of change, and growth for all parts of the country. Following the civil war, the US was in need of healing, and major social as well as constitutional improvements. In the time period from 1860 to 1877, social and legal developments contributed to sustaining continuity as well as promoting change within the US. These changes and continuities were vital to the continuation of our country and would shape the US for decades to come. State’s rights and the different opinions of the nation on this topic caused most of the tension during this time. The north believed a union of the country, abolition of slavery, and had a more industrial economy. Meanwhile, the south believed in slavery, had an agricultural based...
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...“Unfinished revolution” Reconstruction for the United States has been constantly changing American for future generations. The “Reconstruction Era” lasted from 1865-1877 changing the north, south, and policies that shaped the American culture. With these changes, there is always unfinished business. We see to this day the legacies that uphold from reconstruction. These legacies include southern freedom, the nation money hunger, and the new amendments. We are still fighting for what President Abraham Lincoln once started. This promising revolution provided legacies for the upcoming generations that pushes towards reconstruction still to this day. “I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states, and parts...
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...Could you imagine living in an era where people tag you according to your color and origin? Specifically during a time period called the Reconstruction era. Reconstruction era was when President Lincoln ordered the southern areas to be fixed and also recover the economy of the United States. In this era it was believed that slavery was gone however, the people of the south still didn’t accept them as being equal. Some believed that Reconstruction aided the people of different origins; others believed it made no change. African Americans were better off after the Civil War. As a result of the Civil War, “the federal government outlawed slavery with the 13th Amendment” (Document 1). The 13th Amendment granted the male slaves citizenship; in addition to this came the 14th and 15th Amendment which allowed them to have the right...
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...African American slaves gained their freedom because of the Thirteenth Amendment. But, were not treated with all do respect. African American slaves did not gain their freedom in the Reconstruction Era. African American slaves did not gain total freedom because of an act called the Disenfranchisement. There were three different sections in this act that ex-slaves had to go through in order to have the opportunity to vote as a citizen. One of them was called the Grandfather Clause. The Grandfather Clause was introduced by Southern legislatures to allow many whites to vote without having to go through any of the other sections of the act. This clearly terminated blacks from voting. Also the Disenfranchisement also made citizens pay for a tax...
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...When the Civil War came to a close on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse, it was obvious that making amends between the conflicting regions was going to be a difficult task. Reconstruction was a period plagued by conflict because there was no precedent or blueprints on how to deal with secession because the Founding Fathers never thought it would happen. There were several different ideas on how to go about Reconstruction, but they all conflicted with one another. I agree with these different plans by Lincoln, Johnson, and Congress to a certain extent, the Reconstruction policies were mediocre and could have been improved, Southern resistance was provoked but not justified, and lastly the most lasting impact of Reconstruction was the increase...
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...need to be prohibited. During the time of reconstruction laws played a role that could be seen as helpful and major. After the war there had been so much damage. Many lost homes,jobs, and family members and those who already had nothing were forced to start over once again. To make sure there things were getting done and changes were being made, several laws and promises made to freedpeople. Document 6.1 ,Freedpeople Protest the Loss of Their Land, states “Under President Johnson’s reconstruction policies, most of the land was taken and returned to its original owners later that year.” One of the major issues freedpeople had with getting back on their feet was that they had nowhere to live and no where to start their families. Although this time was seen as reconstruction none of the real problems were getting fixed. How did the government expect freed people to feel free if there was no laws to protect them....
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...enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, thus setting all slaves in the rebellious Southern states free. This was the first step towards African Americans entering society as free individuals. Furthermore, the Reconstruction era proved to be both a time of heightened equality and a time of intense racism and persecution for African Americans. Although the Reconstruction Period in America, from 1865 to 1900, was focused primarily on incorporating African Americans into society as equal citizens, this idea was soon altered as Southern white Democrats regained control and Jim Crow Laws were being passed. Despite the fact that African Americans experienced brief...
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...Just after the mid 1800’s the newly unified United States was still going through the reconstruction of their nation after the civil war. While the country was coming together, questions were being raised about the revolutionary changes regarding social and constitutional ideas. A better understanding of whether there were any revolutionary changes as a result of the civil war can be gained by looking at the decisions made regarding state's power or federal power, black rights, and the untold racism at the time as a result of blacks gaining rights. On a political level a revolution occurred but because of the radical rise of racism after the civil war and even the amount of racism today, socially there is still a long way to go with the battle against racism. During and after the civil war the federal government realized it had to make a change and rule over the state governments. At the end of the secession from the north the government realized that they can not standby and watch the south become its own sovereign country...
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...War would completely abolish slavery. Even though slavery was made illegal in 1865 after the Civil War ended, African Americans did not acquire freedom during the era of Reconstruction. African Americans did not attain independence partially because of disenfranchisement. For example, it was obligatory to pay a poll tax if they had the desire to register to vote. In innumerable cases, the tax was not affordable for African Americans anyhow. Additionally, African Americans would have had to take a literacy test. This discriminatory examination was made to purposely fail African Americans, generating the idea that they couldn’t vote. According to document J, “she had to take a literacy test and pay a poll tax of $1.50, a sum worth about $25 today.” Lastly, the Grandfather Clause exempted voters from those registrations if their grandfathers had voted, undoubtedly eradicating blacks. Disenfranchisement during the era of Reconstruction was one considerable justification why African Americans...
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