How Did Reconstruction Fail

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Overall, Reconstruction ultimately failed to accomplish its two main goals: integrate blacks into society and reunite the South and the Union. The status and protection of blacks in American society varied throughout the various phases of Reconstruction but by 1896, the legislation failed to prevent regional divisions or advance civil liberties very far beyond the pre-war levels. Laws such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments along with Civil Rights Acts “guaranteed” African Americans specific rights on paper, however, in practice the Congressmen did not carry through with their promises of equality. Deep-seeded racism, a vindictive attitude towards the South, a reluctance to deny property rights, the devotion to self-governance, and an over …show more content…

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 defined freedmen as citizens and guaranteed equal protection under the law. In addition to being the first major piece of legislation to be passed over the veto of a president, this act was the first of many failed attempts to advance the rights of African-Americans. Trying to protect this legislative precedent against inevitable Democratic control, Republicans ratified the 14th amendment that gave all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. citizenship. The necessity to enact an amendment to protect this act is evidence of the republicans admitting reconstruction would ultimately fail. Even the leaders of the movement understood they couldn’t prevent Southern democrats from rising to power and undermining any progress accomplished by African Americans (which eventually …show more content…

Strong believers in limited government action, the ex-Confederates were appalled by the rampant corruption and expenditure of these unwelcomed officials. A foreign concept to the Southerners, luxury and property taxes were raised. State debts were expanded to build infrastructure including roads and bridges and bring southern society into the 19th century by establishing public schools, insane asylums, hospitals, and orphanages. Reconstruction was somewhat successful because it made substantial initial progress in one of its minor goals: rebuild the south, which was devastated because a majority of the fighting during the Civil War occurred in the South because Southern generals chose to engage in defensive war strategies. The carpetbaggers’ vindictive desires were exposed through their ulterior motives: financial gain and punishing the South. Through graft, bribes, and kickbacks from contractors and corporations, the “carpetbaggers” made money every time they passed legislation in the company's favor. The South was already billions of dollars in debt after the Civil War but Northerners were not worried about excess spending because once they left the Southerners would have to deal with the debt while they returned to an economically prospering

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