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Introduction
The Reconstruction era is probably one of the most debatable periods in post-American civil war history. There are people who argue that this was a successful movement, yet there are some who disagree because of its notable failures.
Was Reconstruction a success or failure? Is it possible that it was both? The author of this sample essay deconstructs key changes and events in this time in American history and draws a conclusion.
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Post-Civil War Reflections: Revisiting the Reconstruction
The Reconstruction period is known as the years that followed the infamous American civil war. It demonstrated the attempt to remedy the inevitable inequality caused by centuries of slave labor, restore order to the nation’s political, social, and economic spheres, and resolve the issues that emerged following the Union’s reacceptance of the 11 states that seceded pre-war.
With the Civil War coming to a close, President Abraham Lincoln developed the first comprehensive plan for Reconstruction, called the Ten Percent Plan. There was a desire to focus on rehabilitating public structures, private properties, housing, health care, and even food manufacturing, as well as bring change into the way the Southern states approached their politics. Southern society did not warmly accept this endeavor, as they did not see any need to impose changes on their way of life. This became a longstanding conversation that lasted for twelve years, under the terms of three different presidents.
There were many changes in the political arena during this period. New laws and amendments to the constitutions were enacted, creating major changes in the federal government and redefining what it meant to be an American citizen. The black communities in the Southern states came together and joined forces with white allies to bolster the power of the Republican party.
All this being said, was the Reconstruction period truly one of success or failure? For me, if the goal was to secure the rights that slaves deserved by making amendments to the constitution, then it did not really achieve its purpose. While there were many milestones reached in the attempt to reach the goal, the attempt was not ultimately successful. So in my eyes, while this period gave way to many improvements, it was an overall failure.
There are also larger lessons to draw from this time in American history. It teaches us that restoration and rehabilitation after years of injustice cannot just be simply erased by liberating slaves. The trauma runs deep, and it will take many, many years of healing to truly move forward from this experience. However, at the same time, the efforts we have seen during this season are a beacon of hope.
It shows us that change is possible, that transitioning to a better and more humane society can be achieved. It will just take more time to get there. It also reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today as Americans can never be taken for granted. We must remember what it cost our ancestors to get us to this place.
Finally, it also shows us that the journey to authentic freedom and equality is not linear. There will always be an ebb and flow to this movement, and we must be prepared to ride with these changes.
What were the Successes and Failures of Reconstruction
The assessment of the outcome of the Reconstruction is always an invitation to a long table discussion because the period itself contained many successes and failures. Therefore, people tend to evaluate it from their own perspective. Some view the period as successful, while some believe that it was ultimately a failure.
Let’s take a look at the successes and failures of this era.
Successes of Reconstruction
One of the landmark achievements of this period was the remarkable strides made in pursuing civil rights for black Americans. Congress passed the Reconstruction Amendments over a period of five years, which abolished the practice of slavery. These also provided legal protection for the black community and suffrage to black men.
Despite the existence of racist violence and Jim Crow laws, black Americans were able to start having a voice in the political sphere. The Reconstruction Amendments also became the backbone and starting point of more legal enforcement for equality during the civil rights era in the 50s and 60s. The Jim Crow era also saw the legalization of marriages between African-Americans and the independence of black churches from white denominations.
States also found some success in addressing social disorder and problems. One of the ways in which they responded was to fund public schools that are open to all American citizens. With the abolishment of slavery also came the elimination of the plantation system, which led to land redistribution. In a nutshell, African-American families were finally able to enjoy their own churches, schools, and families – all things that they were deprived of before the war.
Failures of Reconstruction
Unfortunately, despite the many achievements made within the Reconstruction era, a series of failures offsets it. For one, while it was an attempt to liberate slaves and afford them the same rights and freedoms as white people, the actual life of black Americans during this time was not very different from their lives as slaves. Even if they were legally recognized as equals, black communities were subject to the Southern states’ segregation laws.
They also felt the hatred of white supremacy groups, experiencing violence from movements such as the Ku Klux Klan. They were also victims of political disenfranchisement due to state constitutions, which meant that most blacks and poor whites were not allowed to vote. It wasn’t really until the civil rights era of the 50s and 60s that conditions finally began to improve.
Even though the Republicans generally wanted to abolish slavery, some radical Republicans in government were against land reform or even providing former slaves the resources and tools that they needed to get out of poverty. At the same time, it was hard to completely eradicate racial bias, as this existed not only within the Southern states but all over the nation. The Northerners, which previously focused on ending the slave trade, now shifted their attention to industrialization and their Westward expansion. They were no longer as concerned about the rights and privileges of African-Americans.
Again, while there was a noteworthy attempt to really undo all the damage done by the events leading up to the Civil War, there was no finality to any of the efforts. It was a sobering reminder that it is not easy to change or shift from centuries of systemic ills. This was also the reason why the Reconstruction spanned twelve years. Every time there was an attempt to do better, some deep-rooted injustices or biases would make themselves known. This is why despite the many accomplishments of this era that paved the path towards interracial democracy, Americans remember very little about this period of history.
Even if no definitive resolutions transpired during this period, it was a season of hopeful movement – one that was moving toward a kinder and more collaborative society. Although the era did not see this end goal come to fruition, it played a crucial role in leading the nation closer to it. Many freedoms that African-Americans today can be attributed to the efforts made during this trying time. It is then apt that this period is called “Reconstruction.”
FAQs
What Were The Negative Effects Of Reconstruction?
The main negative effect of this time in America was basically that most attempts to find a way forward from the past were short-lived. This period unearthed deep collective trauma and biases that were formed over centuries of tension and conflict. So while the efforts were commendable, the continued existence of racial bias, the inability to totally fight for the rights of the black community, white supremacy, and the existence of radical Republican groups made it difficult to get to the end goal of seeing former slaves flourish in American soil.
In a way, this served as a timely reminder that it may take decades, even centuries of consistent and committed efforts, to completely find restoration from a long period of injustice and racism. This is a journey that continues to this very day.
What Was One Success Of Reconstruction?
One of the numerous milestones the Reconstruction accomplished was the empowerment of black people to participate at all levels of government. This happened a mere few years after liberation from slavery, so this counts as a major accomplishment that must be remembered today. Black men were awarded suffrage, and all African-American individuals were granted legal protection, thanks to the Reconstruction Amendments. This paved the way for enabling these people to also experience autonomy in their place of worship, and in their marriage and family lives. This established their own identity as citizens and enabled them to independently form their own authentic communities.