Reconstruction - First Watch The PBS Video: Reconstruction

Reconstruction- First watch the PBS video: Reconstruction: A Moment In The Sun

Write a 3 page paper with a title page and bibliography. Total of 5 pages will be turned in. Save your paper in WORD document as (LastnameHIST221shortpaper2). The topic for your paper: Reconstruction- First watch the PBS video: Reconstruction: A Moment In The Sun : The second assignment paper will have you investigate the Reconstruction era. The paper will ask you to highlight all the new programs, changes and obstacles faced by the newly freed slaves in the reconstructed Southern society. You may use your book and the internet to research sources to help you in your paper. You will need three distinct and solid references to show your research on this topic. Recommended sites for sources: APUS library Reconstruction: The Second Civil War - Archival sources on Reconstruction - Special Field Order No. 15 , at the Freedmen & Southern Society Project at the University of Maryland. You must have at least three references. You must use the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), Council of Science Editors (CSE), Kate L. Turabian's Manual, and the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)of your major. YOU MUST CITE YOUR SOURCES! Summary: summarize your paper in the last paragraph. The paper MUST be typed in Microsoft word using Times New Roman font (12), double spaced, with the preset margins. Students must submit the historical topic paper no later than Sunday by midnight at the end of week six.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Reconstruction era, spanning from 1865 to 1877, was a tumultuous yet transformative period in American history. It was marked by efforts to rebuild the Southern states after the Civil War, integrate freed slaves into society, and redefine the social and political landscape of the United States. This paper explores the new programs, significant changes, and obstacles faced by newly freed slaves during this period, emphasizing the legislative reforms, social challenges, and political struggles that characterized Reconstruction. By analyzing these aspects, we gain an understanding of the profound impact the era had on the trajectory of American history.

Reconstruction Programs and Legislation

Following the end of the Civil War, the federal government introduced several programs aimed at rebuilding the Southern economy and society. The most notable among these were the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The Freedmen’s Bureau was established in 1865 to assist freed slaves and impoverished Southerners by providing food, education, employment opportunities, and legal assistance. It played a crucial role in establishing schools for African American children and advocating for their civil rights (Foner, 2014). The Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to protect the rights of freed slaves and granted them citizenship, laying the groundwork for the Fourteenth Amendment.

Radical Republicans also introduced the Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which divided the South into military districts to enforce new laws and protect the rights of freedmen (Bailyn, 2012). These programs represented a federal effort to establish legal equality, facilitate economic mobility, and integrate African Americans into civic life. However, their implementation faced stiff resistance from southern white supremacists, which impeded full realization of these reforms.

Obstacles Faced by Freed Slaves

Despite legislative protections, freed slaves faced numerous obstacles that hindered their progress toward equality. The emergence of Black Codes, enacted in various Southern states, sought to restrict the freedom of African Americans through laws that limited their rights to own property, bear arms, and testify against whites (Woodward, 2013). These codes mimicked antebellum restrictions and aimed to maintain forced labor and racial hierarchies.

Additionally, violent opposition from groups like the Ku Klux Klan aimed to undermine Reconstruction efforts through intimidation and terrorism (Paskoff, 2012). Enfranchisement was also a significant hurdle; despite the ratification of the 15th Amendment, many African Americans faced poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence designed to suppress their voting rights. Economic challenges further complicated their situation, as sharecropping and tenant farming often perpetuated cycles of poverty and dependency.

Social and Cultural Changes

Reconstruction brought about substantial social changes, especially within African American communities. Education initiatives flourished as African Americans established churches and schools, fostering a sense of community and cultural identity (Foner, 2014). Black churches became centers of political activism and social organization, advocating for civil rights and community improvement.

However, persistent racism and segregationist policies gradually led to the establishment of Jim Crow laws, which legally sanctioned racial discrimination and disenfranchisement. The end of Reconstruction in 1877 marked the beginning of a period of institutionalized segregation, severely restricting the rights of African Americans for decades to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Reconstruction era was characterized by vital programs aimed at rebuilding the South and securing rights for freed slaves, yet it was fraught with challenges. The legislative efforts laid important foundations for civil rights but were often thwarted by racial violence, discriminatory laws, and social resistance. The obstacles faced by newly freed slaves highlight the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America, which would continue well beyond the Reconstruction period. Understanding these complexities reveals the enduring legacy of the era and its significance in the broader narrative of American history.

References

• Bailyn, B. (2012). The revolution of American civilization. Vintage.
• Foner, E. (2014). Reconstruction: America's unfinished revolution, 1863-1877. HarperCollins.
• Paskoff, P. (2012). Violence and reconstruction: The Ku Klux Klan in the postwar South. Journal of Southern History, 78(2), 251-278.
• Woodward, C. V. (2013). The Strange Career of Jim Crow. Oxford University Press.
• Chambers, W. (2015). Reconstruction and the struggle for racial justice in America. University of Virginia Press.