Essay On Reconstruction Dbq

Change is something that takes time, effort, and sometimes doesn't go as expected, especially with change regarding race and race relations. From 1865 to 1877, America tried to influence change with laws and force, as to make it happen faster. The Reconstruction Era was like game 7 of the 2016 World Series because there were times when one side was favored more than the other, and at times, it was impossible to tell who was going to win. Going into the last game of the 2016 World Series, the Indians were expected to win it all, being as they were the best team in baseball, and during the Reconstruction Era, the Northern's had most of the control going into this time period. Firstly, the 13th Amendment, which was passed when the new state

This was a major change for the better in the US because it meant that everyone was truly free and the US made sure that all of her citizens could have all of their rights. Secondly, the 14th Amendment elucidates, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any States deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” (Document A). The 14th Amendment made it illegal to unfairly sentence or deny rights to any person, regardless of color, truly making sure that “all men are created equal”. Lastly, Amendment number 15 says, “The right of citizens of the United States to toe shall not be denied or abridged by the United States of by any State on account of

During the Reconstruction Era, the South found loopholes in the legislature passed by the north that worked in their favor and complicated people's views on Reconstruction. For example, Sharecropping put black field workers into an endless circle of debt, essentially making them slaves again (Document D). The 13th amendment outlawed slavery, but Sharecropping was just a little sneaky idea that white plantation owners uses to get their labour back. Things like the grandfather clause, poll taxes, and the literacy test prevented blacks from being able to vote, a right guaranteed in the 15th amendment (Document H). These things were directed at blacks, and were rarely given to whites, and were only legal because there were no laws against them. After the near impeachment of Johnson in 1867, Congress sent in the military do make Reconstruction how they wanted it to happen. From 1867-1877, the Military Reconstruction Act was in place. The military went into the south and helped to register new black voters (HA, 316). This act allowed for blacks to be registered to vote without any obstacles, which helped win the election for Ulysses S. Grant. Conclusively, during the Reconstruction Era, the outcome was in a fog at times, blinding even the people with the best foresight from seeing into the