Question: To what extent was the Reconstruction a failure?
Reconstruction was the period directly after the end of the Civil War (1865-1877). This era was a necessary time for the United States to restore the divided nation. The eleven rebel states that had been defeated leaving the government unsure weather to punish or pardon them. In Reconstruction era, the three goals emerged from the federal government: rebuild the South, provide and protect freedman’s rights, and unify the nation. At the end of time period, only one came out successful, the physical unification. However, the other two goals lacked success.
The most difficult transition for the South was after the Emancipation Proclamation and final abolishment the 13th amendment. During this time, the US neutralized about 3-4 million slaves. When the government wanted to provide and protect freedman’s rights, they failed. Just like in unifying the nation, they only completed half of this goal. They provided the rights for the African-Americans. For example, the fourteenth amendment stating that the states couldn’t deny the basic rights of citizens. It basically gave freedman the rights of a white, including voting. However, when the African Americans’ attempted to go and vote, many were denied that right by means of harassment, torture, kidnap, or even murder. They KKK, or Klu Klux Klan, was formed for that very reason. Other discriminations occurred as well towards blacks what Carl Shurz reports. He says that the white widows were extremely resentful towards the the black widows copied their fashion to were a veil to represent that your husband had died. There were several other attempts to provide for the ex-slaves like the Freedman’s Bureau which help the freedmen get adjusted to freedom and take their place in society. This, however, was shut down by president Johnson. This was because the people were getting angry that their high taxes were