Reconstruction 1 The Reconstruction Era Jessica Onken American History Since 1865 Professor Tim Johnston August 2, 2010 Reconstruction 2 The Reconstruction Era The reconstruction era was a difficult time for the African American slaves from 1865 to 1877 because the slaves were freed and there were no jobs for them, had very little or no education, and had very limited opportunity in the south. Reconstruction was one of the most critical periods in American History. The Civil War changed the nation tremendously, and most importantly by bringing an end to slavery. Reconstruction was a period of great promise, hope, and progress for African Americans, and a period of resentment and resistance for many white …show more content…
In 1867, Congress passed a new Reconstruction Act, that threw out the state governments of states that refused to ratify the 14th amendment. The 15th amendment was ratified in 1870, providing a constitutional guarantee of voting rights for African American males. 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 main complaints against the Presidential Reconstruction were the Radical Republicans of Congress. New political forces in the South gave way for new changes. During reconstruction, African Americans made huge political gains. They voted in large numbers and were also elected to political office. African Americans were elected as sheriffs, mayors, legislators, Congressmen, and Senators. Even thought their participation was significant, it was exaggerated by white southerners angry at the Black Republicans governments.
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 Civil War sparked a new era of Reconstruction in America. This era was meant to change the everyday life of America and to allow African Americans to become a part of America. Though reconstruction started out with good intentions, it is considered a massive failure in almost every area. As a result of the Civil War and Reconstruction, American society experienced drastic political change in participation government while keeping social and economic structures the same.
The Reconstruction and its end is an important time period in American history. This period of time was important to black culture in the United States and lead to the development of black churches and black universities. The ending of the Reconstruction in 1877 also marks the beginning of a period of history that will last almost one hundred years. Following Reconstruction are the Jim Crow Laws that are passed in the South that will lead to American Civil Rights Leaders and the Civil Rights
The Reconstruction era was a hard time for African Americans. Dealing with harassment and rude comments from other people, and hoping that they will get the right to vote. During this time some laws were passed, a few of them were the 1st amendment, voting rights, and equal rights. These goals were partially achieved and were not one hundred percent successful.
The Reconstruction Era was a time period in America’s history that followed the end of the Civil War. The ending of the Civil War brought back the Confederate states; being that they had been defeated drug the war and ended slavery throughout the nation with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation that was backed by the 13th amendment; thus began the road to freedom for former slaves and a lack of free labor for previous slave owners. However, there was little concern for the freedmen who had no sense of direction in where their life would take them (Costly). Congress created the Freedmen’s Bureau to establish school for freed slaves, as well as, provided food and medical care to them (Costly). The attitude of former slave owners and
In a time period that redefined the nation, two completely different stories were unfolding within the two regions of the country. Shortly after the American Civil War, the United States took on changes the young country had not seen before and has not seen since. With the northern states thriving in an economy driven by industry, the south watched as their land quickly turned into lost wishes. This time period is known as “The Reconstruction Era.” As the Civil War was coming to a close, President Lincoln had already made plans of rebuilding the war-torn south. As a result of the 13th Amendment, very few southerners were fond of African-Americans. Due to the hatred that was instilled into the minds of the youth in the south, a new group was
Washington D.C.-The Civil War Reconstruction, or the Reconstruction Era, occurred on January 1, 1863. It was the process of readmitting the former Confederate states to the Union. It lasted from 1863 to 1877. The Civil War Reconstruction damaged the South and it put them to debt. Senator Benjamin Wade and Henry Davis had an alternative to Lincoln’s plan to offer southerners amnesty for all illegal acts supporting the rebellion. President Andrew Johnson had a plan for Reconstruction. The Black Codes were passed almared the citizens of America about slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment and Fifteenth Amendment were proposed during this time regarding slavery and the right to vote.
The Reconstruction Era took place after the end of the Civil War. It lasted from 1965 to 1977. It was the North’s way of making peace with not only former slaves, but the South as well. The Reconstruction Era attempted to better the lives of African Americans by making advancements in education and religion. The 15th Amendment gave African Americans the right to vote. 105 African American colleges were created after the Civil War.
Some major challenges that Americans faced at the end of the Civil War included that the nation entered into the Reconstruction era. And that the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution strengthened the claim of African Americans to have equal rights. This challenge took place on the farms and even plantations in the South, and former slaves were seeking to become free workers. Also, during this challenge and struggle, some white women began to join in for radical and gender equality. And their attempts for the right to vote for women were prevented, and just as for the blacks and their allies to secure radical equality. Thus, white Southerners prevailed. The Reconstruction was to give African Americans the chance for
The Reconstruction Era was from around 1865-1877, during that time many laws were passed to break down the color barrier. The 13th Amendment which officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude was passed on April 8th, 1864. Then came the 14th Amendment passed on July 9th, 1868 which granted citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. Finally came the 15th Amendment passed in 1870 which gave freedmen the right to vote and could not be denied on account of race or previous condition of servitude. There were many cases of brutality against African Americans after the Emancipation Proclamation and following the Reconstruction Era but why did Boyle pick this story and this case? Unlike most accounts you hear which end with the individuals being killed this story ends on a somewhat better note. If one were just to skim a majority of the book they would get the gist of what it was about and even then would be moved, but still left unhappy because of the wretched state in which Ossian was left in. However, if someone was to read the book thoroughly they would be able to see exactly why Boyle picked this story. The tale of Ossian Sweet is in depth and complex; it goes over a lot of his life and experiences. On some occasions it depicts how Ossian gained freedom and opportunities new to him, although with each new freedom society and other variables made those accomplishments less satisfying. It is not apparent if Boyle believes the Reconstruction Era was a ‘failure’ but it is
After passing the Civil Rights Act over Johnson’s veto, Republicans in Congress effectively took control of Reconstruction. The Reconstruction Act of 1867 required southern states to ratify the 14th Amendment–which granted “equal protection” of the Constitution to former slaves–and enact universal male suffrage before they could rejoin the Union. The 15th Amendment, adopted in 1870, guaranteed that a citizen’s right to vote would not be denied “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” During this period of Radical Reconstruction (1867-1877), blacks won election to southern state governments and even to the U.S.
The 13th Amendment was passed on April 8th, 1864 and adopted on December 6th, 1865. This was the first Reconstruction Amendment; the first section of the amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude; except as a punishment for a crime. The second section gave the power to Congress to enforce this legal action. The 14th amendment was ratified on July 20th, 1868. The amendment granted African Americans citizenship and included 5 sections. The first section granted due process of the law and the second included African Americans with full citizenship for accurate government representation. The third section stated that anyone who had fought against the Union could not run for a government position, the fourth consumed all debt from the war towards the federal government, and the fifth gave power to Congress to enforce the amendment. The 15th amendment
In the spring of 1865, the Civil War, an American battle centered around slavery between Northern and Southern states, was finally coming to an end. The brutal battle that lasted over four years and claimed the lives of roughly 620,000 men was finally finished, and the northern states would come out as the victors. However, before the gun smoke could even clear, the Re-construction Era would be underway with plans to change America for the better. During the pe-riod of 1865 and 1877, also known as the Reconstruction Era, the U.S worked on bringing the recently divided nation back together again, with the help of the military. Although intention and hopes for this time were good, racial tension could still be strongly felt in the south as Southern-ers continued to hold on to their white-superior belief, which led to hate groups such as the KKK and discrimination in the form of Jim Crow Laws. After the Northerners had won the Civil War and Lincoln had freed the slaves, things seemed to be moving in a direction of great progress for America. Unfortunately, as America went into the Reconstruction Era, it was clear to see that we had just taken two steps back, leaving people to wonder had progress really been made. Now, 140 years later, many people are still asking that same question, with unequal pay for women, institutionalized racism and corruption and abuse of power by the U.S government, has progress in America really been made? The answer to that is yes, in looking at the
The United States of America has had its ups-and-downs throughout its life as a country. The nineteenth century, however, proved to be a particularly tumultuous period having been dotted with many important events ranging from the Civil War to Reconstruction and finally the settlement of the west. The Reconstruction Era specifically proved to be one of the biggest challenges America tackled during this period for it would be faced with the enormous task of reinstating the South, integrating freed Blacks, and recreating the South’s economy.
Most Americans are familiar with the era following the Civil War known as Reconstruction. History teachers mention that during this time the “Black Codes” were enacted, the Ku Klux Klan was formed and rampantly terrorized blacks, and America broke its promise of farmland to former slaves.