The Reconstruction Era occurred from 1865 to 1877 and was a pivotal period in American history following the events of the American Civil War. This era focused on rebuilding the South, integrating formerly enslaved African Americans into society, and addressing the complex political, social, and economic challenges that arose from the devastating effects of the Civil War. This article explores the major events, significant people, and historical significance of the Reconstruction Era in American history.
RECONSTRUCTION ERA – BACKGROUND HISTORY
In order to understand the significance of the Reconstruction Era in American history, it’s first important to understand what led to reconstruction. As stated above, the Reconstruction Era took place after the events of the American Civil War. As such, it’s important to understand the history of slavery and the Civil War.
Slavery in the United States existed from the period of Colonial America in the early 17th century until the events of the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 until 1865. Throughout this timeframe, many slaves were brought from Africa to the territory of the United States via the Atlantic Slave Trade. Many of these slaves ended up working on plantations and households across the United States, and played a significant role in the production of certain goods. However, slavery in the United States came into question in the 19th century due to the growth of the American Abolitionist Movement.
The American Abolitionist Movement is the name for the advancements made in the United States towards ending the practice of slavery. For instance, the term ‘abolition’ means to stop or end something. As such, an abolitionist is someone who was working to ban slavery. The American Abolitionist Movement is considered to have occurred from the late 1700s until 1865 when the American government abolished slavery following the end of the American Civil War.
The American Civil War first began in 1861 and continued until 1865. It was one of the most significant events in all of American history and had a profound impact on the development of the United States. At its heart, the American Civil War was the result of growing tensions between the Northern states and Southern states on the issue of slavery, among other things. In general, the American Civil War involved the Northern states (also referred to as the ‘Union’) and the Southern states (also referred to as the ‘Confederacy’) fighting in many different major and bloody conflicts. Following the Union’s victory in the Civil War, the government worked to formally abolish slavery and protect the rights of former slaves.
RECONSTRUCTION ERA – WHAT WERE THE GOALS OF RECONSTRUCTION?
As stated above, the Reconstruction Era of American history was based on the timeframe after the events of the American Civil War. As such, the goals of this era were primarily centered on overcoming the destruction of the war and rebuilding American society. Historians have identified three distinct goals of the Reconstruction Era, which included: rebuilding the South, integrating former slaves, and political unity among the states.
The first goal of the Reconstruction Era was rebuilding the southern states following the events of the Civil War. The Civil War had left the Southern states in ruins after years of fighting. Infrastructure, cities, and plantations were destroyed, and the Southern economy, heavily dependent on slavery, had collapsed. As a result, rebuilding the South became a priority during Reconstruction. The second goal was the integration of former slaves into the larger American society. Emancipation had liberated millions of African Americans, but their newfound freedom posed questions about their social, economic, and political integration into American society. Finally, the third goal of reconstruction was political unification. The United States needed to address the reintegration of the seceded Southern states into the Union, ensuring loyalty to the federal government and adherence to new constitutional amendments.
RECONSTRUCTION ERA – MAJOR EVENTS
As a historical period, the Reconstruction Era took place from 1865 (when the Civil War ended) until 1877. During that time, there were many events that occurred that aimed to promote the goals of reconstruction, which were discussed in the section above.
As well, the Reconstruction Era saw policies that varied dramatically over time and between the Presidents and Congress. For instance, President Andrew Johnson favored a more lenient approach toward the South in regards to Reconstruction. His policies often clashed with the Radical Republicans in Congress. President Johnson, who succeeded Abraham Lincoln after his assassination, aimed for a quick restoration of Southern states to the Union with minimal changes. He pardoned many former Confederates and allowed Southern states to manage their own affairs, which led to the enactment of Black Codes—laws designed to restrict the freedoms of African Americans.
Radical Republicans in Congress, dissatisfied with Johnson’s approach, took control of Reconstruction policy. They implemented harsher measures, including the Reconstruction Acts of 1867, which divided the South into five military districts and required states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing African American men the right to vote. These acts aimed to protect the rights of former slaves and ensure their participation in the political process.
One of the main aspects of reconstruction during this time were the three Reconstruction Amendments. The Reconstruction Amendments were the three amendments to the United States Constitution that occurred in the years after the end of the American Civil War. These include the Thirteenth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment and Fifteenth Amendment. Together, the three amendments sought to resolve issues that still existed from the American Civil War, including the practice of slavery and rights for the former slaves. As well, they each had a profound impact on life for people in the United States including the Reconstruction Era.
In short, the Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery in the United States, marking a monumental step toward civil rights and laying the foundation for Reconstruction. The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and guaranteed equal protection under the law. Finally, the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) prohibited states from denying the right to vote based on race, color, or a previous condition of servitude.
Two other important developments, during this time, were the Freedmen’s Bureau in 1865 and the Reconstruction Acts in 1867. Established to assist former slaves, the Freedmen’s Bureau provided food, housing, education, and legal support. It played a crucial role in helping African Americans transition from slavery to freedom, which was a key aspect of the Reconstruction Era. The Bureau also helped establish schools and universities for African Americans, significantly improving literacy and education levels among the formerly enslaved population. For their part, the Reconstruction Acts divided the South into five military districts, each governed by a Union general. They required Southern states to draft new constitutions that included black suffrage and ratified the Fourteenth Amendment before rejoining the Union. The goal of these acts was to reintegrate the Southern states back into the Union.
Despite these advancements, Reconstruction faced severe resistance from many white Southerners. In fact, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and other white supremacist groups emerged during this era, using violence and intimidation to undermine African American progress and restore white dominance. These groups targeted African American leaders and their allies, aiming to suppress their political and social influence. One such figure was that of Frederick Douglass. A former slave and prominent abolitionist, Douglass was a vocal advocate for African American rights during Reconstruction. More specifically, he pushed for suffrage (voting rights), education, and equal treatment under the law.
The Reconstruction Era finally came to an end in 1877 with the Compromise of 1877. The presidential election of 1876 was highly contested, which led to the development of the Compromise of 1877. In this agreement, Democrats conceded the presidency to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South. This marked the end of Reconstruction, as the removal of troops allowed Southern states to reassert control and implement Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans.
RECONSTRUCTION ERA – IMPACTS
The Reconstruction Era was an important period in American history and left several significant impacts on the United States. One of the most significant impacts was on the growth of civil rights for African Americans. For instance, while Reconstruction ended with many goals unmet, it laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements. The legal and constitutional changes achieved during this period provided a foundation for the struggles of the 20th century and the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, the Reconstruction Era saw significant legal advancements for African Americans. Specifically, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments laid the groundwork for civil rights by abolishing slavery, granting citizenship, and protecting voting rights.
Another important impact of the Reconstruction Era was the improvements made to education for African Americans. For example, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and other organizations, established schools for African Americans, leading to increased literacy and educational opportunities. These efforts laid the foundation for improved educational outcomes for future generations.
Also, during Reconstruction, African Americans actively participated in politics. They voted, held public office, and influenced legislation. Notably, Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce became the first African American United States Senators. As such, Reconstruction led to increased political representation and participation for African Americans.
Despite these advancements, the Reconstruction Era also led to several negative impacts, especially in relation to the southern states. For instance, the economy of the southern United States struggled to recover following the end of slavery and the events of the Civil War. Sharecropping became widespread, trapping many African Americans and poor whites in a cycle of debt and poverty. Furthermore, economic opportunities for freed slaves were limited, and many faced exploitation and discrimination.
Reconstruction policies also received considerable resistance from the Southern states. For instance, the southern states developed ‘Black Codes’ during the Reconstruction Era. Black Codes were a set of laws that controlled the lives of African Americans in the United States from the time of the 19th century. They became more prominent following the end of slavery and were used as a way of controlling the behavior of free African Americans. Furthermore to this, was the rise of organizations like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), which emerged during Reconstruction. The KKK used violence and intimidation to undermine African American progress and maintain white dominance in American society. As such, this highlighted the discrimination faced by African Americans in the time during and the decades after the Reconstruction Era.
