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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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Between the periods 1865 and 1877, Reconstruction took place, a time in which the North and South spent rebuilding after the Civil War. However, Reconstruction primarily took place in the South since all former slaves were now free, meaning that millions of people now required things such as jobs, a house, food, etc. Reconstruction was especially fundamental because this time would be spent attempting to grant African Americans social, political, and economic equality, something that had been withheld for many years. And while Reconstruction was successful in providing African Americans with political equality, it failed to establish social and economic equality. When it came to political equality for African Americans, Reconstruction was successful.

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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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Reconstruction caused prejudice and inequality. To elaborate, the creation of the Ku Klux Klan and the Black Codes were both in the time period of reconstruction, which caused chaos and violence throughout the Union. One of the goals of reconstruction was to repair the economy in the South, because it depended on slavery, which was now illegal, due to the thirteenth amendment. The South’s economic system now depended on Sharecropping, which caused former slaves to be in constant debt and was unjust to the black society. The reconstruction time period, was a time of dispute between the Union.

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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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