TEXTBOOK-Brinkley, American History, Connecting with the Past, Volume II, McGraw Hill CHAPTER 15 - Essay Example

The New South and Reconstruction The reconstruction of the New South would be termed as a major landmark in the historyof America. Though issues such as the end of slavery, the place of the freed in the South and bringing back the states as one were raging on, the then president was determined to restore the states. This, according to Brinkley was met with diverse views by varying politicians in the Congress (435). The Congress and the then president, Lincoln conflicted in their thoughts regarding race, political beliefs and the union.

With the Congress taking over, the reconstruction process began in 1877. Presidents Lincoln and Johnson were of varying opinions that the war was to restore the stateliness of the mess up states. Due to the challenges faced in this process, Lincoln employed the military to not only reconquer the states, but also to regain the status of these states. The treacherous citizens were pardoned in that case, and Lincoln made voters take the oath of Liberation Proclamation (445). Andrew Johnson, an ex- slave possessor was of a low opinion on the blacks and that they should hold the low positions in the society.

In this case, Johnson planned to restore the South by proclaiming reprieve on certain classes in the society, those of high class (444). Nothing much maturated from the 13th amendment on abolishing slave trade. Later, the Congress was to design its own plan of reconstruction that touched on the 14th amendment. This amendment according to Brinkley defined citizenship, and was to allow the African Americans part of the state (421). The blacks were also protected from the interference from the state and advocated for reduced representation in the states with disfranchising future supporters.

In regard to this amendment, the State and federal nationality for all persons was in simple terms reinstated in spite of an individual’s race either born or naturalized in USA (438). Analysts and researchers argue that the process of reconstruction would have been easier if President Johnson would have accepted the amendment’s measures. However, Johnson was of the opinion that the constitution and the white supremacy would be in subordinated. He, therefore, worked towards defeat of the southern states and establishing a radical Republican Party (415).

Historians are justified in calling this period the darkest period of American History since the move by Johnson not only undermined human existence, but also deprived them the right to be at liberty like other humans. If I was in power, I would have definitely put in place stringent measures that see to the liberty of all persons and mobilize many people towards a revolution for championing the rights of all humans. Though chances were that the reconstruction would be a failure, I would have been resilient in mobilizing the republicans towards more and more amendments of the constitution to involve the blacks.

This would have automatically resulted to developments of racial equality in the country, and acceptance of the fact that all races are equal.Work citedBrinkley, Alan. American History, Connecting with the Past, Volume II. New York: McGraw Hill. 2011. Print.