The Role Of The Reconstruction: Former Slaves

Former Slaves-

The role of the Reconstruction was very important to the former slaves that had been held in the South. Promises of freedoms were soon realized to be false hopes. The freedpeople of the South were large placed into situations where they were little more than slaves. They were still considered inferior, and faced persecution when they tried to exercise their rights.

The Southern Whites-

The economy of the South had largely existed on slave labor. Reconstruction saw slavery end in the South, at least officially. Now that the slaves were gone, the white population felt victimized. The white population also feared that the newly freed slaves would take revenge for being held in bondage.

Northern Businessmen-

Northern businessmen saw large opportunities in the Reconstruction of the South. The North’s industrial base remained and
Former slaves wanted to start families and educate their population. Schools were established in the South, but they were segregated. The former slaves desired land to ensure they remained independent of outside help.

The white population of the South saw that the former slaves, while limited in their rights, now had a voice. African American troops were in the South and the black population was becoming educated. Fears of retribution were common. These fears led them to pass local laws to further limit freedmen’s rights. These laws would ensure the dominance of a white South.

The South’s future in the union was a point of contention. Many in the North wanted the South to pay for the years of bloodshed. Lincoln, however, knew that the key to a united future would be integration. Lincoln believed that the rebel states never left the union, but needed reform to bring them back into a proper standing with the other states in the