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Reconstruction
When discussing Post-Civil War Reconstruction, historians have two different theories of the role of the North in the attempts of rebuilding the South. ... The new theory of Reconstruction that came after 1960 was that Lincoln did not have a strong plan for reconstruction, and that President Johnson was “a stubborn, racist politician who lacked the ability to compromise,” (Foner 11). ... Nevertheless African Americans were hurt during Reconstruction, because the “freedom” given to them by the Government during this era did not grant them permanent political, social, or economical equality. ... During the time of Reconstruction there were not many African Americans in political offices. ... 5% of the population and yet only two of them have been elected to the United States Senate and one to a state governor since the days of the Civil War and Reconstruction. ... ” During Reconstruction blacks were thought of as inferior to whites and were not given many political offices. ... This inequality in political power has its roots in the Reconstruction Era when legislation gave African Americans the right to vote; it could not legislate the public mind or views. Poor whites as well were subjected to the best man shall rule theory that swept the post reconstruction era. ... Library of Congress) During Reconstruction, land seemed to be the back bone of the African American economy. ... They both state that during Reconstruction, some whites took advantage of the African Americans for profit. ... On the average, African Americans have been making less money and have had economic problems since Reconstruction. ... During Reconstruction social equality seemed to be both impossible and possible. ... The old theory of Reconstruction thought that the Klan would dress up in white sheets pretending to be ghosts just to scare the African Americans. ... Reconstruction also helped families come together. “Reconstruction provided the opportunity for blacks to solidify their preexisting family ties,” (Foner 12). ...
Freedom given to the slaves during Reconstruction was not really freedom at all. ... The Planter class (white) survived both the war and Reconstruction with its property and prestige more or less intact,” (Foner 12). So Reconstruction which was suppose to help the freed slaves, ended up making them dependent on their former masters.
Approximate Word count = 1797
Approximate Pages = 7.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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