Three Famous Radicals Of Reconstruction After The Civil War

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Reconstruction began when President Abraham Linclon issued Emancipation Proclamation December 1863. President Abraham's plan to weaken the confederacy by taking oath of loyalty from at 10 % prewar voters to establish new state governments couldn't yield expected results but certainly had put heavy dents on the confederates. Reconstruction may be considered the result of terrible war between those who wanted to see all the states united under union flag and those who wanted loose confederation. The civil war lasted four years. It began in April 1861 and ended in June 1865. It brought misery, hunger and devastation. The nation was torn apart. Hundreds died miserable death from both the sides. The South was placed under …show more content…

After his death, some parliamentarians from the Republican Party emerged as new leaders of this era. They put forward their own proposals for the reconstructions. They were called Radicals. Each one of them had different agenda of reforms for the freedom of the African Americans. Three Famous Radicals: Basically these radicals had two point agenda. One was to punish the South for waging war and make them pay for all the losses. Secondly, they wanted to protect the rights of those who had gained liberty. However they wanted to abolish slavery and the cruel treatment with the black people by the white. Thaddaus Simons, Charles Summer and Andrew Johnson were the most significant political figures. Thaddaus Simon was a a politician and member of the House of Representatives. His main focus was to create economic resources for the Blacks so that they may earn their livelihood without any one's support. Charles Summer was a senator and his main concern was that Blacks should be given political rights. He believed that all men are born equal and this paradigm should be included in the American …show more content…

There was sense of joy and freedom among the blacks as they had won their long cherished dream of independence above all the right to vote through legislation. But the time proved that many plans could not turn into reality. They failed to elevate the sufferings of the blacks. The Blacks were never elevated to educational and social equality. Even after legislation they were subdued and forced to lead miserable life. Conservatism and racism always hampered the path towards their ultimate freedom as independent citizens and politically and socially viable figures. Equal rights for the white and black remained an unfulfilled dream. Another fact highlighting its failure is that both these communities remained segregated despite all sincere efforts. The era of reconstruction seemed to have passed away without causing any major