Politics of Reconstruction

Andrew Torrence

U.S History

Professor Standley

Describe the Politics of Reconstruction. Why did this period in our Nation’s history become so controversial?

The reconstruction that began after the civil war and the emancipation of slavers in the south included many different ideas with different outcomes and varying levels of success. Much of this depended on the leadership of the time and their style for how things would be done. Lincoln before he was murdered seemed to have the best ideas and was going to be lenient on the South but still make them conform, while Andrew Johnson seemed more interested in the south pledging loyalty to him and his position of rule while turning a blind eye to the oppression that continued on in various forms, and the radical reconstruction of Congress while having many good ideas became preoccupied with fighting the will of the president and seeming to try and take control of the south if it didn’t immediately comply. Several major accomplishments were made slaves were freed, and amendments were put in place to help ensure their freedoms and civil rights. On the other hand not enough was done to ensure it was true freedom as many new laws were created to maintain oppression over these people. Many of the people honestly didn’t know what freedom meant or truly understand the concept as well and expected that just by having the title of free they would “be richer than the white folks instantly”. Many also continued right along being slaves and not being able to do much about it as in the story of Toby Jones who worked 4 years in the same way after being freed. Though Federal Government tried to assist these people through efforts like the freedmen’s borough and seizing control of several state government under military control, the efforts were not fully done or were not maintained for a long enough time and southern society slipped back into its ways of the past. Also when good progress was made groups such as...