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Hard War Soft Peace Analysis

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Following the Civil War, the Reconstruction era in the United States was a turbulent time in history. It was a period marked by political and economic changes resulting from the end of slavery and emancipation. Historian Eric Foner describes Reconstruction as a moment when the nation grappled with the concept of equality for the time although it didn't fully achieve its ambitious goals (Gross). Key figures during this period included Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, whose differing approaches to Reconstruction highlighted the complexities and difficulties faced during this transition. Abraham Lincoln, serving as President during the Civil War, embodied a strategy of "Hard War, Soft Peace." Understanding the need for action to preserve the …show more content…

The experiences of Reconstruction, including the resilience and activism of communities, served as sources of inspiration for subsequent generations advocating for civil rights. Reconstruction signifies a chapter in history characterized by aspirations for equality alongside the harsh realities of deep-rooted racism and political divides in our country. The differing strategies employed by Lincoln and Johnson emphasize the complexities of Reconstruction and its lasting influence on the struggle for rights in America. While Reconstruction did not fully achieve its objectives, its impact continues to guide and motivate endeavors to attain justice and equality for all. The insights gained from this period remind us of the significance of addressing systemic injustices and striving towards a more inclusive society. The period of Reconstruction in the United States after the Civil War was a time in history focusing on the issue of equality. Historian Eric Foner describes Reconstruction as a time when the country grappled with this question even though it did not fully …show more content…

The growth of churches and religious groups such as the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church also flourished during this period. The introduction of the Reconstruction Amendments, including the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments fundamentally changed the Constitution by embedding principles of equality and citizenship into law (Majewski). The achievements of Reconstruction were overshadowed by its shortcomings and eventual collapse. The gradual decline of Reconstruction started with the emergence of supremacist governments in the US and was characterized by the use of racial violence by groups like the Ku Klux Klan and instances of voter fraud. The tragic events of the Colfax Massacre in 1873, where 280 Black men were brutally killed without consequences, demonstrated the power of violence and how federal intervention failed to safeguard the rights of black individuals (Majewski). Conservative governments in the South pursued an agenda grounded in superiority, perpetuating systems that favored low government investments in education, meager wages, and debt bondage through

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225 Words | 1 Pages

In the article “The New View of Reconstruction,” Eric Foner writes about the difficult time that the United States go through the Reconstruction era. Also, discusses the different point of view or interpretation that Reconstruction era had over the years. The author Eric Foner describes the Reconstruction era as a difficult time after the Civil War. The Reconstruction was from the beginning and before 1960 as a time of exceptional debasement and control of the freedman.

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639 Words | 3 Pages

Each of these four articles explain why the United States government failed in reconstruction based on generations that pass by. Thomas W. Wilson’s talks and displays about how the government attempted taking over the South. Carter Woodson pressures that most of the slaves were indignant while reconstruction was going on, where Thomas Bailey states that it’s the Radicals who are to be blamed for pushing it on the freed men. Lastly, Mary Beth Norton continues with the concern with the struggle of reconstruction that the South held from the beginning. Each author explains their understanding of why reconstruction had failed due to their generation and experience.

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892 Words | 4 Pages

During this period in United States history, it was the end of the Civil War. Now the nation's is going through Reconstruction, a process from 1865-1877. During this period, it was the nation's goal to rebuild after the war and provide equality for all. Reconstruction did not succeed in granting African Americans social equality, but Reconstruction did succeed in granting political and, economic equality for all African Americans. The first goal of Reconstruction is to grant all African Americans social equity.

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Although it was not realized at the time, determination was a prominent element that provoked success amongst our nation. The endless trial and error involved with the reconstruction shows our nation’s commitment. Reconstruction was a stressful new experience, but the courage to keep going generated motivation for our country. The Jim Crow laws were an example that went against the morals of reconstruction. These laws were considered an insulting reference to Blacks (TCI

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974 Words | 4 Pages

From 1861 to 1865, the United States of America went through a civil war. At the beginning of the war the main goal was to reunite the nation but later on in the war ending slavery was also added. So after the war, reconstruction began. Reconstruction was the period following the Civil War in which Congress passed laws designed to rebuild the country, bring the southern states back into the Union, and grant African Americans equal rights. Even though Reconstruction granted political equality to African Americans, overall it failed to grant them social and economic equality.

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1486 Words | 6 Pages

After the Civil War, there was death and destruction everywhere. America was looking to pick up the pieces of their broken country. From this need to make America a functioning country once more, Reconstruction was born. The Reconstruction era was controversial at the time. African Americans were getting their first breath of freedom and being integrated into government and society (“America's Reconstruction”).

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800 Words | 4 Pages

The period of time in American history known as the Reconstruction lasted from the end of the Civil War in 1865 to 1877. It was a period of time when the United States was trying to form another union and be a full country again after years of division. This division was caused by the Civil War, which caused the United States to split into two parts. The North and The South still used their differences to cause further problems and the slaves that were emancipated were caught in between this fight. Many of these issues were related to the rights of African Americans and how they would join American society.

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795 Words | 4 Pages

The year is 1865, the Civil War has concluded, slaves are now declared “free”, Lincoln is killed, and our nation continues to disband itself further and further. What was the nation’s response towards the situation? To create a program in which the U.S. would rebuild society and manage to eliminate conflicts within the government, the wealth of the nation, the relations between groups, and land. Reconstruction’s purpose was to bring the North and the South back, as one nation, but all that was accomplished were disputes, both opinionated or political, therefore; Reconstruction was unsuccess. Part of the reason behind the failure called the Reconstruction is Johnson’s focus on healing the nation rather than the justice.

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495 Words | 2 Pages

The Reconstruction era was a historic period from 1865-1877 where slavery was in the process of being abolished. It was a very long process, the north and the south fought over whether or not they could own slaves. The north disliked slavery because it was inhumane, while the south liked it due to the free labor. Each side had their mind set on their own goals and as a result there were many political outcomes, failures and successes To begin with, there were many different effects from the Reconstruction period that were negative. The North wanted to abolish slavery altogether and to do so they passed many bills and amendments.

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671 Words | 3 Pages

Peter Schroeder Dr. Christopher Marshall Modern United States History 2/2/17 Writing Assignment 1: The African-American Experience with Reconstruction Reconstruction among the south refers to the point in time which the United States was attempting to establish a relationship between the union and the rebels. The Union had won the civil war, so the next step was to begin to mend the broken relationship between the north and the south. Though historians cannot agree on when it began, there is merit in saying that it started before the end of the Civil War. After victory, had been solidified for the Union, attention of President Lincoln turned towards reconstruction.

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515 Words | 3 Pages

The reconstruction period was a failure because African Americans, mainly males, were not treated with equality although the constitution said that the they were free and had the right to vote, be educated and had the right to liberty, life and the pursuit to happiness. Organizations, like the KKK, were created to harm freed slaves and their families. Laws were created such as the Black Codes restricting former slaves from their rights. African Americans endured a lot of violence over the years. “In Grayson, Texas, a white man and two friends murdered three former slaves because the wanted to ‘ thin the niggers out and drive them to their hole’”.

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422 Words | 2 Pages

However, changes that were made during Reconstruction greatly impacted the lives of many African Americans. While some efforts were made to achieve a status of equality, many suffered continuous discrimination and were denied (deprived of) their basic civil

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645 Words | 3 Pages

The American civil war led to the reunion of the South and the North. But, its consequences led the Republicans to take the lead of reconstructing what the war had destroyed especially in the South because it contained larger numbers of newly freed slaves. Just after the civil war, America entered into what was called as the reconstruction era. Reconstruction refers to when “the federal government established the terms on which rebellious Southern states would be integrated back into the Union” (Watts 246). As a further matter, it also meant “the process of helping the 4 million freed slaves after the civil war [to] make the transition to freedom” (DeFord and Schwarz 96).

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669 Words | 3 Pages

Reconstruction is during which the United States began to rebuild the Southern society after they lost to the civil war. It lasted from 1865 to 1877, and it was initiated by President Lincoln until his assassination in 1865. President Johnson continued Lincoln’s agenda to continue the Reconstruction. Throughout the process of Reconstruction, one of its main purpose was to guarantees for equal rights for all people, especially for the African Americans. Even though slavery was abolished after the civil war, many Southerners were still against the idea of equal rights for all black people, such as the Republicans.

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835 Words | 4 Pages

Reconstruction is the time period after the Civil War, where the country attempted to improve the Union. There were many successes, but what also comes along with success is failure. During the reconstruction many failures were present; such as the lack of racial equality and blatant racism towards blacks, a failing economy in the South, and tense relations between the North and the South. This created a very intense and challenging period of time for the Union.

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