Reconstruction Gallery
Reconstruction was a period of time in American history following the Civil War. It was a period of rebuilding and reform, both politically and economically
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Reconstruction was a period of time in American history following the Civil War. It was a period of rebuilding and reform, both politically and economically. The main goals were to reintegrate the Confederate states into the Union, provide civil rights to African Americans, and help rebuild the South's economy. To accomplish these goals, Congress passed several laws such as the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery, Fourteenth Amendment which granted citizenship to African Americans, and Fifteenth Amendment which gave African American men the right to vote. It also saw an increase in federal power over state governments as well as an expansion of civil rights for all citizens. Despite these advances however, Reconstruction ultimately failed due to racism and white resistance in much of the South. This led to a period known as "Redemption" where white supremacists regained control over state governments throughout much of the former Confederacy.