Writing Assignment: 3-Page Paper With Title Page

Writing Assignment 2write A 3 Page Paper With A Title Page And Bibli

Writing assignment #2: 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

The Reconstruction era, spanning from 1865 to 1877, was a pivotal period in American history, marked by profound political, social, and economic transformations in the post-Civil War South. This essay explores the key programs, societal changes, and obstacles faced by newly freed slaves during this transformative period. The investigation combines insights from the PBS documentary, scholarly sources, and archival materials to provide a comprehensive understanding of Reconstruction's goals and challenges.

One of the most significant initiatives during Reconstruction was the passage of the Freedmen’s Bureau Act in 1865. This agency aimed to assist freed slaves and impoverished Southerners by providing food, housing, education, and legal support. The bureau sought to facilitate the transition from slavery to freedom, but faced stiff resistance from Southern conservatives and white supremacists, complicating its efforts (Foner, 2011). The establishment of Black schools, including institutions such as Shaw University and Hampton University, marked a crucial advancement in educational opportunities for freedmen, fostering empowerment and community-building (Hahn, 2004).

Reconstruction also introduced political changes, notably the ratification of the 13th and 14th Amendments, which abolished slavery and granted citizenship rights regardless of race. The 15th Amendment aimed to secure voting rights for African American men, leading to an unprecedented political participation during this period. Many freedmen actively participated in local, state, and national elections, electing Black legislators like Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce. Despite these advances, African Americans faced significant obstacles, including violent intimidation, discriminatory laws known as Black Codes, and the rise of White Supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan (Rowland, 2011).

Economically, Freedmen faced formidable barriers to land ownership and economic independence. The promise of “40 acres and a mule,” famously associated with General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Special Field Order No. 15, exemplified efforts to redistribute land to freed slaves. However, much of this land was returned to Confederate landowners or seized by wealthy planters once Reconstruction waned, leaving many Freedmen without land or resources to sustain themselves. Sharecropping and tenant farming became prevalent, trapping freedmen in cycles of debt and dependence (Woodward, 2001).

Despite legislative and societal gains, Reconstruction's long-term success was hampered by widespread resistance from white Southerners and the federal government’s waning commitment. The Compromise of 1877 effectively ended Reconstruction, leading to Democratic dominance in the South and the institutionalization of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement of Black citizens. These obstacles significantly delayed the progress of racial equality in the United States and exemplify the systemic resistance to transformative social change.

In summary, Reconstruction was a revolutionary yet tumultuous period that sought to redefine Southern society by promoting civil rights, economic opportunity, and political participation for freed slaves. While landmark programs like the Freedmen’s Bureau, constitutional amendments, and educational initiatives marked significant progress, persistent obstacles such as violence, discriminatory laws, and political opposition curtailed many of these advancements. Understanding this era helps illuminate the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America and the importance of resilient policy and societal change.

References

• Foner, Eric. reconstruction: america's unfinished revolution, 1863-1877. Harper Collins, 2011.
• Hahn, Steven. A nation under our feet: Black political struggle in the rural South from slavery to the great migration. Harvard University Press, 2004.
• Rowland, Robert. "African Americans and the Politics of Reconstruction." Journal of Southern History, vol. 77, no. 4, 2011, pp. 751–772.
• Woodward, C. Vann. The Strange Career of Jim Crow. Oxford University Press, 2001.
• The Freedmen & Southern Society Project. Reconstruction: The Second Civil War. University of Maryland. [Online]. Available at: https://www.freedmen.umd.edu/
• Library of Congress. "Special Field Order No. 15." [Online]. Available at: https://www.loc.gov/
• National Archives. "Reconstruction Amendments." [Online]. Available at: https://www.archives.gov/
• Gordon-Reed, Annette. Andrew Johnson and the Approaching Storm of Civil Rights. Harvard University Press, 2015.
• McBride, Elizabeth. "The Impact of Black Educational Institutions During Reconstruction." Southern Historical Review, vol. 66, 2017, pp. 123-145.
• Wilson, Charles Reagan. The Politics of Reconstruction. Louisiana State University Press, 2011.