Reconstruction Period?

Question

I have an assignment in my American History class and I am by no means asking anyone to do my work for me but Id like to know opinions on ways the Reconstruction measures may have been effective in rebuilding the South, ensuring the rights of freed slaves, and healing the wounds of Civil War?"

Answer 1

Typical government fiasco. The greedy scam artists came roaring in, stealing everything in sight. Any "reconstruction" that occurred in the South was the result of local people doing what had to be done. To give you an idea of how effective reconstruction was, consider Jesse James and other confederates who took the law into their own hands. This is not to excuse what those outlaws did, but is an indication of the government's effectiveness.

Answer 2

The destruction that was inflicted by the North on the South, especially by Sherman's Path to Atlanta, was devastating to the South. In some respects they feel the effects today. Millions of dollars in property was destroyed, infrastructure torn up. The south really ceased to exist for a time economically. This is a part of the war not taught in any detail and it was pure and simple a crime against humanity what Lincoln and Sherman did. The reconstruction was ineffective and full of graft. Typical government program.

Answer 3

It was not handled very well. It did very little to ensure the rights of freed slaves, and as reconstruction failed hardline governments stripped the former slaves of most of their rights - it would be nearly 100 years before the descendants of former slaves began making serious strides towards equality and respect of their rights.

The bungling of the reconstruction was at least partially responsible for the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the south. The original Klan might not have lasted very long, but hatred led to the Klan rising over and over again.