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What Are The Aftermath Of The Reconstruction Era

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Aftermath of the Reconstruction Era After the Civil War, many people (especially former slaves), thought that the Reconstruction would bring nothing but true equality and justice. Although the Reconstruction did open many doors, for every door it would open, three more would close. It seemed to have aided loopholes rather than the rights of the slaves. Once the war ended, the south was in a terrible state. The southerners’ crops and homes were destroyed. Those who didn’t starve to death were left with no clothing, land, or their slaves. Although the south just faced this vicious attack by the Union, they needed help from the north. Of course, Abraham Lincoln was willing to help the south as long as they abided by his rules. He then introduced …show more content…

This lead him to excuse enough Confederate officials to grasp the Congress’ attention; and not in a good way. Congress was outraged and demanded harsher punishments on the south. After President Johnson and Congress went head-to-head, they finally came to the agreement that the south would completely abolish slavery. This command was added to the previous ones in the Ten Percent Plan. If the south abolished slavery as well, they would then be readmitted into the Union. Soon after this decision was made, it was known that travelers nicknamed “carpetbaggers” and “scalawags” would be making their way into the south. Once these travelers arrived, they were not cheerfully welcomed, but accused of being traitors. Luckily, organizations such as the Freedmen’s Bureau, helped the travelers and former slaves. This organization was one of the many that provided the freed slaves with land and …show more content…

The Fifteenth Amendment granted black males the right to vote. Although it was a huge milestone, it was bitter sweet. Yes organizations such as the Freedmen’s Bureau provided some education to the blacks, but it wouldn’t be enough. Many freed slaves did not know how to read and write, let alone anything about politics. Many wouldn’t have known how to vote; and yes the right to vote was of course important, but it was still an empty gesture. Five years later, the Civil Rights Act of 1875 came along in an attempt to crush racial discrimination in public places. The hopes of finally having that equality were quickly pummeled,

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