Civil War Reconstruction Success or Failure Essay

STUDENT TEACHER AP US History 06 January 2006 Reconstruction: Failure The Civil war was possibly the greatest tragedy that this country had ever faced. Years of constant arguing, compromises and cynical ideas about slavery pushed this so called United Nation into an atrocious collision between the Northern abolitionists and the Southern proslavery farmers and plantation owners. The nation suffered enormous losses economically and went into a downward spiral. The reconstruction period began with many leaders stepping up to try and fix this crippled country, but it didnt turn out like everyone hoped. Slavery was still the largest issue and the reconstruction halted because of the disagreements the people faced. After many years of†¦show more content†¦After the tragedy of Lincolns death, Vice President Andrew Johnson stepped up into the presidential position and started his own plans for reconstruction; his too, would turn out to be a failure. He supported hardcore Democratic principles and restoring Southern power. He br ought in the remaining states back into the constitution. He divided the power of planters and restricted there voting He created the idea of blanket pardons which allowed Southern states that had abolished slavery and repealed their articles of secession to re-assume their powers of government and elect representatives to the Congress. This all backfired because while the south was happy and the Blacks werent voting under Johnson, the Radical Republicans were angered and more conflict was started. The whole idea of everyone being happy wasnt working at all with anyone. Johnson was the second to go, being the first impeached president ever. The third plan to come out was that of the Congress. They were more about punishing the south for what they did and giving black equal rights. Their plan was a failure because they created two major acts that were never passed. They had plans of the Freedmens Beauro Act that was a watch for racism and protection of black rights. They also came up with the Civil Rights Act in 1866 that ensured black rights but both of these were not passed. Congress did pass a reconstruction act thatShow MoreRelatedCauses Of Reconstruction829 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica was in a rough spot after the Civil War between the Union and the Confederates. The South had her lands destroyed and ravaged by the Union armies, and thousands of slaves were suddenly freed from slavery. It was a time where the Radical Republicans were gaining power. A time where change was coming. This change would be Reconstruction. Reconstructions purpose, in simplicity, was to bring the South back into the Union and to somehow integrate the freedmen. 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