Reconstruction Dbq Essay

Madison Sinkhorn
Mr. Critelli
APUSH
6 January 2023
Reconstruction DBQ
After enduring the Civil War from 1861-1865, America was faced with the repercussions of the chaos that lead to the division of their nation. Following the secession of many states from the Union, government authorities were left to pick up the pieces by readmitting former Confederate states. Redressing the injustices of slavery remained a prominent issue, on top of the firm enforcement of proper federal government legislation to recover order throughout America. Reconstruction changed the United States society in the period from 1865 to 1900 politically and socially, significantly, due to the long-awaited integration of freed African Americans into society and the government

After being held as slaves for centuries, the black people of America were beginning to see slight signs of freedom during the Reconstruction Era. New systems were implemented into society to allow for more equality throughout the nation. An early demonstration of attempting to aid transition of African Americans into a freer society is through the Freedmen’s Bureau. Depicted in an illustration of Misses Cooke’s School Room, by Frank Leslie, by 1866 black children were being taught to read and write for the first time in Richmond, Virginia (Doc 1). The Freedmen’s Bureau was formed after the Civil War to help millions of former black slaves receive food, housing, education, and medical aid. All these opportunities were unavailable and inaccessible to African Americans prior to the Reconstruction Era. Slaves were treated as property, not as humans, therefore prior to the Reconstruction Era, African Americans in America would not have even dreamed of receiving these types of benefits. Organizations, such as the Freedmen’s Bureau, provided slight freedom to black people in America and paved the way for immense progress in civil rights ideas to develop more during this time. Similarly, Ferdinand L. Barnett, an African American lawyer, addressed the National Conference of the Colored Men of the United States about education of white and black children (Doc 6). First off, Barnett being a lawyer is significant progress. From the Dred Scott case ruling that slaves were property and therefore did not have the right to sue, to Barnett being able to represent someone in a case is setting a new precedent. Even Barnett receiving access to the education and status to become a lawyer provides significant evidence of social change in the US. Finally, the Interior of Negro Building, is a photograph of an exhibition space for American artists and