Was Reconstruction A Success Or Failure Essay

Neah DeBarros
Amstud F-Block
03/01/23
Government vs The People: Who’s to blame for failing to rebuild our country?
The Reconstruction era following the American Civil War was a time of significant change for the United States. However, it was also a time of major challenges, setbacks, and ultimately, failure. The question of who is to blame for the failure of Reconstruction isn't clear. The US Government’s policies and actions, or lack thereof, during this period were responsible for Reconstruction’s failure. However, many argue that the individuals themselves, specifically those in the south were to blame. In reality, it was a combination of both factors that contributed to the failure of Reconstruction. The success and failure of

After Lincoln died, Vice President Andrew Johnson became the president of the United States. Johnson was opposed to African Americans' having equal rights and vetoed laws protecting said rights. He pushed the country back by 20 years, and intimidation against African Americans remained in the South, making it impossible for them to use the newly obtained rights. The evidence shows that the failure of the Reconstruction period was caused by many factors. Andrew Johnson's opposition to equal rights for African Americans, as well as his attempts to slow down the progress during the Reconstruction era , he threatened progress made toward racial equality. The Supreme Court's decision weakened Reconstruction efforts further by limiting the federal government's ability to protect African Americans' rights. The South's violence and intimidation tactics prevented Black Americans from fully exercising their newly granted rights. Finally, the period’s spread of political corruption destroyed faith the people had in the government and reduced support for Reconstruction efforts. All these issues contributied to the collapse of the Reconstruction after Lincoln

Following Reconstruction, southern governments implemented Jim Crow laws, which mandated racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. These laws, which were passed in direct response to the progress made toward racial equality during the Reconstruction period, reinforced racism and inequality. The the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization, grew to popularity during this era , using violence and intimidation to prevent Black Americans from exercising their rights. The government's failure to handle these issues contributed to Reconstruction's failure. The evidence shows that the hatred from the people and the government led to the establishment of Jim Crow laws and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, both of which promoted racism and inequality. These actions were a direct response to the progress made toward racial equality during the Reconstruction period. The government's failure to address and handle these issues contributed to Reconstruction's failure.
During the Reconstruction era, there were both successes and failures, such as the expansion of rights for African Americans, equal access to education, and the participation of African Americans in politics, the goals of Reconstruction were not fully achieved. Despite the mistakes , the