Did the federal government do enough during the Reconstruction era?

Question

Did the federal government do enough during the Reconstruction era to heal the nation's wounds inflicted during the Civil War?

Could you please elaborate on what they could of done?

Answer 1

One might ask if the Federal Government did too much. The healing between the North and South began after reconstruction when local communities in the South were left to find their own ways to rebuild and reform local institutions. The posting of government troops in Southern cities, imposition of regulations and requirements by the Federal government and the punitive actions in place during reconstruction made the situation worse than it had to be and caused bad feelings that in many cases did not subside until nearly a century after the Civil War.

General Grant, as President of the United States, did much to relieve the burden the Congress inflicted on the South and to bring understanding between the regions. Unfortunately, the damage of the reconstruction period could not be eradicated and the consequences caused economic depression and political restrictions on the South which had been devistated by war.

From the point of view of black people, reconstruction was a disaster. Their communities were too poor to provide jobs, and there were no social programs to help them transition from a state of dependence on owners, to self-sufficiency. Some went north in search of a better life, but were not received well and offered a better life. A century of poverty and injustice followed.

Answer 2

The Federal Government exploited the South during Reconstruction, just like it did before the Civil War.

Answer 3

Well, many of the same policies for reconstructing a government are still being used today, as in those days. Look to Iraq for your answers, and you will see why in some communities in the South, Northerner is still considered a bad word. I, refuse the title Yankee, because of what the Yankees did to my home state.

Answer 4

I've heard arguments both ways. The whites complain the government went too far the other way. sounds a little like affirmative action again.

Answer 5

fuckno! where my mule and 40 acres be?

Answer 6

no they could have done much more

Answer 7

not really