Reconstruction

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at the Reconstruction era in American history. According to the paper, Reconstruction needs to be distinguished from the winning of the Civil War by the North. The paper reports that once the war was won in 1865, the North, under President Lincoln and then President Johnson, began the first phase of Reconstruction, which lasted two years, until the end of 1866. The paper further reports that Reconstruction, which eventually lasted 12 years, was generally not a successful policy.

From the Paper:

"Southerners did not flock to become Republicans as the North desired, but when they were allowed to be Democrats, they worked hard to restore legitimate legislation and patriotism."
"Meanwhile the attitude of Southerners toward the Blacks remained the same as before the war. Declaring a people free did not erase the subordinate and inferior image that the Whites had of the Blacks. Even those blacks who had served in the military faced persecution and prejudice. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• McPhearson, James M. Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction. 3rd ed. 2001
• Mintz, S. "Testimony of Colonel Whittlesey before The Joint Committee on Reconstruction." 2006. (Online) <http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/122/recon/whittlesey.html>

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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