Reconstruction

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how the Reconstruction period after the Civil War was a time when America attempted to rebuild the structures and societal elements that had been lost during the war. It examines how reconstruction was not only about building the structures again, but was also about rebuilding and redefining American values and how the entire economic structure and socioeconomic culture needed to be re-defined. It explores the issues of the success or failure of the Civil War on the basis of whether the goals of the war were realized in the reconstruction period. It supports the position that the reconstruction was a success and that the accomplishments during this time period laid the foundation groundwork for future reforms.

From the Paper:

"Many who support the idea that the Civil War was a splendid failure, including Foner, do so on the grounds that the condition of the blacks in the North was not an immediate and drastic improvement. They were not afforded the same benefits and status of the whites. However, one must remember that they could at least earn a wage, and as slaves this opportunity did not exist. The black person may have had to work longer and harder than the whites for less pay and a substandard lifestyle, but we must remember that in the South, they had substandard living conditions and did not have the chance to earn a wage. Working in the northern factories gave the blacks a way out; some worked and saved their money. They could buy themselves education and eventually became a force to be reckoned with and a voice to be heard in the years to come."

More papers on Reconstruction:

• Essay # 33762 : "Reconstruction Period And Race Relations"
• Term Paper # 140747 : "The Struggles Toward the American Reconstruction"
• Term Paper # 133828 : "Reconstruction as a National Phenomenon"
• Essay # 85684 : "Reconstruction and Andrew Johnson"

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