Reconstruction Period, Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, and FDR’s Approach to Economic Calamity

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American History
Reconstruction Period
The reconstruction period happened in the United States from 1865 to 1877 with the main goal of rebuilding the country and addressing the challenges formerly enslaved people faced and those of the Civil War. The Key player included Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson as well as radical Republicans such as Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner. Apart from that, the Freedmen’s Bureau was also formed by Congress to help formerly enslaved people. Former slaves faced many challenges during this period, including violence and widespread intimidation, political opposition, and economic disadvantages (Foner). As such, while they fought to progress in the era, there was increased resistance from the Southern Whites that wanted to maintain the status quo. Ultimately, reconstruction failed by the year 1877, resulting in the Jim Crowe era that eroded all the gains that had previously been made on the rights of African Americans.
The Roaring 20’s
The “Roaring ’20s” marked a period in the United States that was defined by the cultural revolution, economic prosperity, and an increase in individual freedoms. The major successes during this period included the advancement of women’s rights, the booming of the economy, and the cultural innovations witnessed at the time. However, the era also had several failures, including the effects of Prohibition and organized crime, increased economic and social inequalities, and racial conflicts (Thomas). In the long run, the 1920s set the stage for great changes seen in the 1930s. With the Great Depression experienced in 1929, new policies were developed by President Franklin Roosevelt to improve the economic crisis the country faced. This included social welfare programs and other government interventions that increased regulations to prevent similar occurrences.
The Great Depression
The Great Depression was an economic crisis that affected the whole world and resulted from the crash of the stock market in 1929. This financial collapse was ...