Unit 11 DBQ The United States had just concluded a four-year civil war lasting from 1861 to 1865. The war took place due to disagreements in the North and South over a heart-hurting topic, slavery. After the North won the civil war, African Americans were released from slavery in the United States. The new Freedmen sought equality and Radical Republicans in Congress supported them heavily. While the Radical Republicans were doing anything possible to grant African Americans equality, the South was doing anything to avoid giving them equality. Despite the souths attempts, reconstruction was successful because it protected social rights, political rights, and economic rights. Reconstruction was successful because it improved the protection of African Americans' social …show more content…
With the creation of the 13th Amendment, slavery was prohibited in the United States. Ratified in 1865, it stated, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime… shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction” (Document A). African Americans were officially free after this amendment was Ratified in the Constitution and the newly Freedmen were officially viewed differently in society. Instead of being held as slaves and viewed as property, now African Americans were viewed as Americans and could participate in public life. Therefore, Reconstruction was a success because slavery was one of the main reasons for the Civil War occurring; but with Reconstruction, the issue of slavery was resolved. Reconstruction was an accomplishment because it defended the political rights of African Americans. Natural rights and citizenship were granted to African Americans with the Ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1866. The newly ratified Amendment specified, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the