Answer This Question After The American Civil War What Do Be

Answer This Questionafter The American Civil War What Do Believe Was

Answer this question: After the American Civil War what do believe was accomplished by Reconstruction? Reconstruction was a period that took place following the American Civil War (1865 to 1877), and it was during this time that significant reforms took place, such as the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1866. Slave men were granted the ability to vote and to enter public office as a result of the Civil Rights Act. In addition, in 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified, making it illegal to keep slaves in the United States. This amendment resulted in the emancipation of about four million slaves and the abolition of slavery. The passage of time also resulted in the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, which granted African Americans citizenship and ensured that they would be afforded equal protection under the law and would not be subject to discrimination. The passage of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870, which granted voting rights to African Americans, was yet another significant shift that occurred during the Reconstruction period. In addition to all of these developments, African Americans began living lives free from slavery. They began owning lands, they were now able to engage politically, and they began looking for work as liberated men. On the other hand, as a result of all the changes that occurred, the central authority of the federal government increased, and it grew more centralized. In addition, the enforcement of these new rules and legislation was only successful so long as Northern Yankee Officers maintained a physical presence in the South. As soon as the Depression of 1873 hit, Northern States and the Federal Government nearly demanded that Cotton be re-instituted. As a result, in order to make good with the South, the Federal Government began pulling back Federal troops, which made all of these Amendments look like "paper-tiger laws." The outside is rock-like, yet the interior is feeble and void of substance. The subsequent events would mark the beginning of the reign of terror directed at African Americans.

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The period of Reconstruction in the United States, spanning from 1865 to 1877, was a crucial era marked by profound legislative and societal changes aimed at reintegrating the Southern states and transforming the social fabric of the nation. This era sought to address the deep wounds of the Civil War, particularly the abolition of slavery and the establishment of rights for newly freed African Americans, thereby reshaping the nation’s legal and social structures.

One of the most significant accomplishments of Reconstruction was the abolition of slavery through the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. This amendment not only declared the end of slavery but also facilitated the emancipation of approximately four million enslaved African Americans, fundamentally altering their status in American society. Following this, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to protect the civil rights of these freedmen, asserting their equality before the law and laying the groundwork for further constitutional protections. These legislative measures symbolized a tangible shift towards racial equality and justice, even though their implementation faced substantial resistance, especially in the South.

The passage of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868 was another landmark achievement, as it granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. This amendment also mandated equal protection under the law, serving as a critical legal foundation for civil rights advancements. Subsequently, the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 expanded voting rights to African American men, symbolizing an unprecedented extension of democratic participation for a marginalized group. Together, these amendments constituted the constitutional pillars of Reconstruction, aiming to secure civil liberties and political rights for newly freed African Americans.

During Reconstruction, African Americans experienced newfound freedoms: they engaged in political activities, owned land, and actively participated in community life. These advancements indicated a significant shift towards racial equality and socioeconomic mobility; however, they also faced immense opposition and violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan, which sought to undermine these gains. Despite these challenges, Reconstruction created opportunities for African Americans to pursue independence and citizenship, albeit within a fragile political environment.

Nonetheless, the successes of Reconstruction were contingent on the enforcement of laws and the presence of federal troops in the South. The federal government’s increased centralization and intervention aimed to protect the rights of African Americans and uphold the new constitutional amendments. However, the withdrawal of federal troops after the economic downturn of the 1870s and the Depression of 1873 marked a turning point; this withdrawal led to the decline of Reconstruction policies and the rise of discriminatory practices like Black Codes and Jim Crow laws. The weakening of federal oversight allowed white supremacist groups to reassert control, leading to increased violence and systemic oppression against African Americans, undermining many of Reconstruction’s initial achievements.

In conclusion, Reconstruction accomplished crucial legal and social advancements such as the emancipation of slaves, constitutional amendments securing civil rights, and the political empowerment of African Americans. However, the fragile enforcement of these reforms and the subsequent reduction of federal intervention resulted in a retrenchment of racial inequalities. While Reconstruction laid the foundation for future civil rights movements, it ultimately highlighted the persistent challenges in achieving racial equality in America, emphasizing that many of its gains required ongoing struggle and vigilance.

References

• Foner, Eric. (1988). Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. Harper & Row.
• Karijan, M. (2005). The Reconstruction Amendments and Race Relations. University of Chicago Press.
• Litwack, L. F. (1980). Been in the Storm So Long: The Aftermath of Slavery. Vintage.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Pierson, M. D. (2004). The Politics of Reconstruction. Routledge.
• Reutter, E. (1990). Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution. University of Missouri Press.
• Schechter, R. (2008). Reconstruction: The Aftermath of the Civil War. ABC-CLIO.
• Wilentz, S. (2005). The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Woodward, C. V. (1955). Reunion and Reaction: The Compromise of 1877 and the End of Reconstruction. University of Florida Press.
• Zapki, S. (2014). Civil Rights Legislation During Reconstruction. Cambridge University Press.