Was Reconstruction successful?
(Read what others wrote and respond to this question.  Consider any social, political or economic changes that occured.)
 


Comments

AK (no bow)
02/18/2011 10:13

!!! Yes, reconstruction was successful. Reconstruction was the reorganization and rebuilding of the former Confederate states after the Civil War. Some ways how the Confederate states were reorganized or rebuilt successfully was economically. For example, there was a large expansion of industries, as well as agriculture that included sharecropping and tenant farming. All of those “reorganized” the Confederate states after the Civil War successfully, which benefitted both African-Americans, and Confederates. !!!

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EL
02/18/2011 10:15

I agree with AK that Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War was successful because of the expansion of industries. However, I believe it also harmed the southern states. Before Abraham Lincoln died, he believed that the Radical Republican's ideas of Reconstruction were too harsh. Punishing the South would prolong the process of allowing the states to become part of the Union again. The Civil War was fought to regain control of the states that had seceded. By penalizing them before they rejoined the Union to make the process of rejoining the Union longer would defeat the purpose of why the Civil War was fought. Dividing the South into five military districts controlled by military leaders would not help the union to regain control of the South, it would only waste time. Although the economy was becoming more industrialized during reconstruction, it would have been much easier to admit the Southern states to the Union again without the long process that the Radical Republicans wanted to use.

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EF
02/18/2011 10:16

I agree with both EL and AK opinions. However I do feel that Reconstruction did more harm, than good. There are the evident good things that occurred in the South during this time, as EL and AK mentioned, the industrialization of the South. However this sudden industrialization was not to benefit the entire Union. The South had the motive of creating stronger industries to compete with the North, and prove they are the stronger side. During the time of Reconstruction the United States of America was not being reunited, the main reason for the Civil War. During the years, the southern half of the Union still referred to themselves as the South, and the north, as the North. African-Americans also had tremendous difficulties during this time period as well. Even though they were given the right to vote, it did not bring the nation together. This decision only angered the Southerner’s even more, thus creating more conflict. As EL had said, separating the southern states into military districts "was only a waste of time". This also only separated the Union even more, and allowing the South to view the North as forceful, trying to control the South. One thing that must be recognized is, the time AFTER Reconstruction was the time when real changes to the Union occurred; such as, African-Americans attending all-white schools. Overall the Reconstruction period in our nation’s history was not successful and should be seen as a lapse in our nation’s connection after the Civil War.

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DS
02/18/2011 10:17

I think everyone so far has pointed out valid points so far. In my point of view, Reconstruction was bittersweet. It brought many new things into the country that has made it what it is today, but then again there were many things that were unneeded. I respect EF's point of saying that Reconstruction had more cons than pros, and see where she is coming from, but I do have to disagree. Even though bad things came out of this, many good things did, too. The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments most likely would not have come out as strong as they did. Because of the split and Republican party becoming all for equal rights, the enforced it like no Democrat would. School later became segregated, and like everyone else has brought up, the South became industrialized. Some other things were African Americans could vote, which further led to them being elected into office. and of course there's always bad with good. The downside of Reconstruction was the unneeded violence and laws. When African Americans got the right to vote, groups like the KKK and White League took more action. Reconstruction could of resisted this by not making it so commercial, but instead lives were taken for color and political views. Laws restricting 'colored' people from having 'normal white' lives were unnecessary. These laws such as being arrested if jobless was like going one step forward and two steps back. Reconstruction ended slavery and brought many new things to the nation, but this was after tough obstacles.

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LL
02/18/2011 10:19

All have made debatable points about Reconstruction but in my opinion Reconstruction was successful in some ways but not completly. Yes the Confederate states were rebuilt and industry were expanded throughout the South but the problem with racisim was not solved. I agree with Amanda's comment about how Reconstruction benefitted both Aferican Americans and Confederates but not everyone was pleased with some decisions. This included amendments such as allowing freedmen to vote.Sure it made some happy, but others angry(revolting Southerners like the KKK). Also Confederates were benefitted by means of the industry increase but took freed men out of the job. Thus Reconstruction was somewhat successful.

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AK (bow)
02/18/2011 10:23

I agree with all of the above comments. Yes, Reconstruction lead to various problems across the nation, mainly around the issue of slavery and segregation. Reconstruction in my opinion, was very successful. There were harmful events that occured, such as the "terriozing" Ku Klux Klan, as well as the Redshirts, inspite of this and segregation, as Devon has stated, "Even though bad things came out of this, many good things did, too. The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments most likely would not have come out as strong as they did." African Americans, were given the rights that astonished many Southern whites, as they became furious and called Radical Republicans, evil people, who are punishing the innocent Confederates. African Americans deserved to be educated, to be allowed to enter a movie theatre,and most importantly to be treated as equally as any man would. All of those rights were given to them, due to the Reconstruction time period, that occured during the years of 1865-1877. I have to disagree with Lorianna, while she said, "Yes the Confederate states were rebuilt and industry were expanded throughout the South but the problem with racisim was not solved." Even though the South's industry increased, racisim was not a problem that was going on during the time period. Yes, people were very racist, however that is a problem that we can never stop. Occuring today, people are still very racists towards races other than their selves. A problem during Reconstruction, in which many African Americans went their many obstacles, was to have African Americans be treated as equal people. African Americans developed our nation, bringing out nation together mainly because of the Reconstruction era, which was very succesful.

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