Essay On The Reconstruction Era
explanatory Essay
943 words
America was going through a lot of change economically, politically and socially throughout history and the time before 1865 was definitely a time for change. The world was under reconstruction even before it was deemed the Reconstruction Era. The New Land was stretching as the political leaders were working to acquire more land. America was as fragile as ever at this time because there was rebellion and chaos among slave owners and slaves, our political leaders were deemed inept, and the nation was divided over civil rights issues. Throughout this time before 1865 they faced a lot of change but it came with consequences as well because some people suffered working for change. Race was perhaps one of the biggest issues if not the biggest issue during the pre- 1865 era and it definitely proved a long road for African Americans. Slavery was the controversial issue inside of race that served as a driving force for change. Blacks or African Americans didn’t have a say in much of anything as most of not all of them were enslaved by white people in the North and in the South. The development of African Americans becoming recognized as citizens became a symbol for signs of the Reconstruction Era coming into full effect. The fight for citizenship from African Americans was important because it made others want to fight for equal rights as well. Even though African Americans were putting themselves out there to get more rights but whites still wanted restrict them as much as possible even if they would be considered freed people. (Brundage, N/A) Even the Chinese were looked down upon early on and throughout the course of history. There were laws passed by the federal, state and local governments to put a hamper on immigration that was fo... ... middle of paper ... ...emselves as the push for equal rights continued to gain steam. The efforts for reform embodied states’ rights, women’s rights, and abolition. These would be the ideas that would influence and help the Second Great Awakening gain momentum into the 19th century. The issues along with other political issues would divide the nation into supporters for change and those others who wanted the nation to stay the same. The South was slower in getting slavery abolished so the North took steps in furthering itself from the restraints of slavery. They attempted to institute the term called “free labor.” It wasn’t essentially slavery but it almost had the same feel because in a sense it seems to mean working for free or maybe you could say its “volunteer work.” This ideology from the Northern states advocated ideas such as freedom, independence and self-reliance. (Glaser, 2005)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america was going through a lot of change economically, politically and socially throughout history. the world was under reconstruction even before it was deemed the reconstruction era.
- Explains that race was one of the biggest issues during the pre- 1865 era and it definitely proved a long road for african americans. slavery was the controversial issue inside of race that served as the driving force for change.
- Explains that even the chinese were looked down upon early on and throughout history. there were laws passed by the federal, state and local governments to put a hamper on immigration that focused on chinese immigrants.
- Explains the role of women in shaping america prior to 1865. the industrial revolution was a big part in why women were able to find work.
- Explains that the 1800's proved to be a key time for growth for women’s rights and the progression for greater role in society.
- Explains that there were other changes in early america during the 1800s with all the economic changes people felt like they could do more themselves as the push for equal rights continued to gain steam.
- Explains that the north took steps to further itself from the restraints of slavery by instituting the term "free labor" which advocated freedom, independence, and self-reliance.
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- Era Of Reconstruction Essayopinionated essayAn iconic time period for the United States was best known as the Civil War. This war in its worst moments still brought forth a change in the American society which was arguably, slavery. Unfortunately, the change that sought for came at a costly price. The lives of over 700,000 Americans were lost in exchange for the freedom of over three million slaves. The time period that came after the civil war was what many famous historians would call “The Era of Reconstruction”. Though this particular era was difficult to maintain, it was necessary for the nation to rebuild, implement new laws and add structure. Huge criticism of this era was largely due to the fact many Americans did not know the importance that was contradicted nor the reality of reconstruction, and what this era actually did for the nation.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the civil war brought about a change in the american society, which was slavery. it was difficult to maintain, but it was necessary for the nation to rebuild, implement new laws and add structure.
- Analyzes how the phrase "splendid failure" took into account how successful and unsuccessful this period was. reconstruction did work, but to an extent.
- Opines that the reconstruction era was a daunting task. the ku klux klan was created to racially taunt, intimidate, and commit crimes that went unpunished.
- Opines that ulysses s. grant's "grant’s america" was a successful post-war reconstruction that gave african americans the opportunity to experience freedom.
- Opines that america has endured the reality of wars and the effects of it. history is constantly changing when nations fight amongst themselves.
896 wordsRead More - Sectionalism In The United States:explanatory essaySectionalism, slavery and other issues leading up to the Civil War were some of the most disturbing aspects of our history. The years during the Reconstructive Period were also volatile and often violent. However, these were all critical and contributed to the growth and development of today's United States; the strongest and most democratic country in the world.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that sectionalism was one of the major reasons for the civil war. it divided the northern and southern states.
- Explains the difference between the north and south in terms of slavery. the south was primarily agricultural, while the south relied on cheap labor in the form of slaves to produce tobacco and cotton.
- Analyzes how slavery was abolished in the north when abraham lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation in 1863, which upset the southern states and sever their ties with the rest of the country.
- Explains that the case dred scott v. sanford was a hot political issue. the ruling on this case stated that scott was still legally bound to his master and must remain slave.
- Explains that many northerners were upset with this ruling because they felt that the arguments against black citizenship went against the constitution. they were also infuriated that slavery was legal in the free states if your master brought you there.
- Explains that representation in the government was a major cause of the civil war. the north and south wanted to pass laws that would benefit their section.
- Explains that the south resented tariffs because they relied on british imports for their everyday goods and needed other nations to purchase cotton from their plantations.
- Explains that sectionalism in the country was due to the south's fear that the north would pass laws that would hurt its lifestyle. the southern states believed that they were being cheated and believed the political officials were biased.
- Explains that reconstructing life in the united states after the war was a formidable task. three amendments came out to protect the rights of slaves.
- Explains that president grant was instrumental during the reconstruction period. he passed the force acts of 1870 and 1871 to regulate the violence in the south.
- Describes the compromise of 1877, when president rutherford b. hayes was running for election against samuel j. tildon.
- Explains that sectionalism, slavery, and other issues leading up to the civil war were disturbing aspects of our history. the reconstructive period was also volatile and violent.
1378 wordsRead More - Essay On Reconstructionargumentative essayWilliam Howard Russell once said, "Little did I conceive of the greatness of the defeat, the magnitude of the disaster which it had entailed upon the United States. So short-lived has been the American Union, that men who saw it rise may live to see it fall.” At one point in History, the United States was not one nation. The Civil War had created many issues for the United States and the country was desperate for a solution. This solution was thought to be reconstruction. Reconstruction was the attempt from the early 60's until the late 70's to resolve the issues of the war after slavery was dismissed and the Confederacy was defeated. Reconstruction also attempted to address how states would again become part of the Union, the status of Confederate leaders, and the status of African Americans across the United States.
In this essay, the author
- Compares johnson and lincoln's reconstruction plans, stating that lincoln and the radical republicans wanted to make african americans part of society and guarantee them rights.
- Opines that the reconstruction era was a mixture of both success and failure.
- Analyzes how lincoln would have been more lenient with the south, prevented the anger caused by johnson's reconstruction plan, and ensured the security and protection of the slaves.
- Explains that the civil war had created many issues for the united states and the country was desperate for a solution.
905 wordsRead More - Essay On African Americans During Reconstructionanalytical essayIn general, there were many changes during the Reconstruction years as blacks learned to adapted to their new struggles as free people. They went from the Southern plantations working for no pay to migrating west to making their own way. In the process, they learned to be self-independent of the whites by having building their own churches, schools and the role of black leaders starts to emerge to ignite the black race. The famous leaders such as Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois during the Reconstruction years made an impact on African American history.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the reconstruction years saw many changes as blacks adapted to their new struggles as free people. they learned to be self-independent of the whites by building their own churches, schools, and the role of black leaders.
- Analyzes how the reconstruction years affected african american history through political process, implementing of the black codes, and causing alterations of their social and political climates.
- Compares president lincoln's assassination with andrew jackson’s reconstruction plan, which emancipated all u.s. slaves and abolished male suffrage. the 14th and 15th amendments were a huge success.
599 wordsRead More - The Reconstruction Eraanalytical essayAfter the American Civil War ended in 1865, the nation devoted much of their time to rebuild the South, during a time period known as Reconstruction Era (1865-1877). Reconstruction generally refers to the period in which the federal government set the conditions that would allow the rebellious southern states to be readmitted into the Union. During this time, the South faced some hardships, benefits, and disappointments. Some examples of hardships that the South had to face was that the Civil War damaged the South and there was a decrease in wealth and agriculture, according to Documents 2 and 8. An example of benefits for African Americans during the Reconstruction Era is that teachers, like Charlotte Forten from Document 4, educated former slaves. However, many methods were used to deny African Americans their rights, like the Grandfather Clause (Document 6).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that after the american civil war ended in 1865, the nation devoted much of their time to rebuild the south, during a time period known as reconstruction era.
- Analyzes how the civil war damaged the south severely after many battles were fought on their ground.
- Explains charlotte forten's experience as a "negro teacher who went south to teach ex-slaves." the former slaves were excited to learn because they considered education as critical definition of freedom.
- Explains that african americans were able to serve in congress and vote after the 15th amendment was passed in january 1870.
- Explains that african americans faced many disappointments during this time period, such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and the grandfather clause.
- Analyzes how the jim crow laws segregated african americans from whites in public places. the idea of disliking one race, also known as prejudice, was expressed through the laws.
934 wordsRead More - African American Reconstruction Essayanalytical essayThe Americans of African and European Ancestry did not have a very good relationship during the Civil war. They were a major cause of the Civil War. But, did they fix or rebuild that relationship after the war from the years 1865 to 1900? My opinion would be no. I do not believe that the Americans of African and European ancestry successfully rebuilt their relationship right after the Civil war. Even though slavery was finally slowly getting abolished, there was still much discrimination against the African Americans. The Jim Crow laws and the black codes discriminated against black people. The Ku Klux Klan in particular discriminated against black people. Even though the United States government tried to put laws into the Constitution to protect black people, the African Americans were discriminated in every aspect of life from housing, working, educating, and even going to public restrooms!
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the americans of african and european ancestry did not have a very good relationship during the civil war.
- Explains that the united states did not just ignore the problem between the blacks and the whites in america. they abolished slavery and gave citizenship to african americans.
- Explains that the united states put into place the 13th amendment on december 6, 1865, which abolished slavery and protected everybody’s rights at the state level.
- Analyzes how the ku klux klan discriminated against different groups of people and one major group was the blacks.
- Explains that in 1856, the black codes of mississippi were put into place. these codes were discriminatory against black people.
- Explains how thousands of black people were murdered after the civil war, and how discriminating americans were against blacks in this time period.
- Explains that lynching was a disgusting thing that happened to blacks in that time period. the supreme court thought that the two races should be separate but equal.
- Explains that the jim crow laws were laws using racial segregation from 1876 – 1965 at both a social and state level.
997 wordsRead More - Radical Reconstruction Essayanalytical essay1965 saw the end of the four-year long American Civil War, a bloody conflict that left the nation crippled and hundreds of thousands of men killed. The following assassination of Abraham Lincoln left the nation in the hands of Andrew Johnson to work to restore the South both socially and politically. His policy of presidential reconstruction was widely condemned from his Republican colleagues, resulting in their virtual takeover of congress and the formation of the policy of Radical Reconstruction, an eleven year long attempt by ‘radical republicans’ to rebuild the South and thus the nation through social and political means which, although short-lived, served as a means of enfranchising the African American community and attempted to bring about social and political stability in the south.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american civil war ended in 1965, and the assassination of abraham lincoln left the nation in the hands of andrew johnson to restore the south both socially and politically.
- Explains that the civil rights act of 1866, the fourteenth amendment, and the ability to gain governmental aid were the most beneficial social aspects of radical reconstruction.
- Analyzes how the radical republicans' "soft" approach towards the former confederate states led to the demise of presidential reconstruction. the second reconstruction act placed union troops in charge of voter registration.
- Analyzes how the fifteenth amendment and the resulting admission of blacks into key governmental positions were the most beneficial political effects on african americans during the period of radical reconstruction.
- Analyzes how the end of slavery destroyed the south's economy, resulting in the ex-planters exploiting the newly freed african american community by undertaking a form of de facto slavery.
- Explains that southern blacks were granted citizenship, the right to vote, and the ability to acquire property, despite the limitations imposed by groups such as the ku klux klan. the southern community's willingness to overcome radical rule saw the overall demise and failure of radical reconstruction.
912 wordsRead More - American Reconstructionopinionated essayWe, the Freedman's Party, believe in freedom and equality of all rights for each and every citizen.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the freedman's party believes in freedom and equality of all rights for each and every citizen.
- Asks whether congress should pass civil rights legislation and/or constitutional amendments guaranteeing blacks the right to vote or should the federal government stay out of this area.
- Opines that the united states should pass a civil right's legislation for black rights.
- Opines that the federal government should provide blacks with a freedmen's bureau and the right to acquire personal property.
- Opines that the freedmen's bureau would be a necessary assistant for the transition for whites and blacks from slavery to freedom.
- Argues that confederate officials and soldiers should be allowed the same rights [limited] as the southern states until state is readmitted into the union.
- Opines that the freedmen's party believes in equality of rights for all people.
- Opines that the freedmen are waiting patiently for the federal government to come to their senses and grant us our civil rights, but if this does not occur soon, there will be a bigger problem.
- Opines that the south must form a fair and slavery-free constitution before they can rejoin the union with full representation in the congress.
- States that the freedmen's party requests the management of abandoned lands, and the control of subjects involving refugees and freedman, as approved by the president of the united states.
- Argues that southern states should be divided into military districts closely monitored by the u.s. government before they are re-admitted into the union.
1562 wordsRead More - The Importance Of Reconstruction Essayanalytical essayWilliam Mason Grosvenor believes that Reconstruction should be harsh. Grosvenor has two main arguments to support this belief, manifest destiny and the potential for the reoccurrence of a similar event to the war if Reconstruction was carried out in a lenient manner. Grosvenor argues that the country, pre-Civil War, was never truly a single unified country, but rather a group of peoples with vastly different values held together by a constitution which they had outgrown, saying, “[n]o chemical union had ever taken place; for that the white-hot crucible of civil war was found necessary.” Furthermore, Grosvenor believes that the succession of the South demonstrated this divide while simultaneously violating the doctrine of manifest destiny through
In this essay, the author
- Explains that william mason grosvenor believes that reconstruction should be harsh. he argues that manifest destiny and the potential for the reoccurrence of a similar event to the war would be supported by leniency.
- Analyzes how herman melville believes that reconstruction should be lenient, keeping with christian values. he argues that the south will repent of their transgressions only if they are shamed into doing so.
- Analyzes how grosvenor and melville agree that the main goal of reconstruction should have been to reconcile the differences between the two factions in a way that results in an unified people who were universally anti-slavery.
- Argues that the context for these wars was different than the one that we faced in 1866, and that emulating god's mercy should be one of the primary goals of a christian’s life
806 wordsRead More - The Reconstruction Era and Freedomanalytical essayIn the words of President Abraham Lincoln during his Gettysburg Address (Doc. A), the Civil War itself, gave to our Nation, “a new birth of freedom”. The Civil War had ended and the South was in rack and ruin. Bodies of Confederate soldiers lay lifeless on the grounds they fought so hard to protect. Entire plantations that once graced the South were merely smoldering ash. The end of the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery, stirred together issues and dilemmas that Americans, in the North and South, had to process, in hopes of finding the true meaning of freedom.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the end of the civil war and the abolishment of slavery stirred together issues and dilemmas that americans, in the north and south, had to process in hopes of finding the true meaning of freedom.
- Explains that abraham lincoln, president of the united states during the beginning era of reconstruction, had plans to free slaves and grant them freedoms like never before.
- Analyzes how the meaning of freedom provoked conflict in the reconstruction south.
- Analyzes how the reconstruction era policies enacted by congress included tax-supported public schools, but some whites believed that they were not as capable of learning as the white man.
- Explains that the reconstruction era ended too soon to complete the transformation of the south. racism, severe economic depression, an exhausted north and troubled south, and a campaign of organized violence against the freed man, overturned it.
803 wordsRead More