The Reconstruction of the American South between 1863-1877 - Essay Example

The Reconstruction of the American South (1863-1877) and its Impact on the Future of American Society At the end of the Civil War, the United s braced itself for the reintegration of the defeated Confederate states to the union. The years 1863-1877 marked this period, which is more popularly referred to as the Reconstruction era. Alexander Stephens, Vice-President of the crushed Confederate States of America, summed up the prevailing sentiment among the Confederacy, to wit: “It would be best for the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the whole country that there should be an immediate restoration, an immediate bringing back of the States into their original practical relations; and let all these questions then be discussed in common council… that it would have been better as soon as the lamentable conflict was over, when the people of the south abandoned their cause and agreed to accept the issue, desiring as they do to resume their places for the future in the Union, and to look to the arena of reason and justice for the protection of their rights in the Union…” Plans for Reconstruction were already on the way even before the war ended. These plans and eventual legislations and proposals were mostly influenced by the powerful Republicans, which demand harsh policies for the Southern states. However, the moderates, such as then incumbent President Abraham Lincoln prevailed on restoring the Southerners back as fast as possible with as much leniency.1 However, admission to the union meant the Confederate states were to adhere to several terms and conditions without compromise otherwise they risk representation in the United States Congress. Although subjected to several historical debates in the past, the Reconstruction period is undeniably one of the most significant periods in the United States history. It would impress a lasting impact on two major aspects in the identity of American society. They are racial equality and economic activity. Racial Equality “The disintegration of slavery was one among several considerations that propelled the Lincoln administration down the road to emancipation… Lack of military success, coupled with the anti-slavery agitation of abolitionists and Radical Republicans, convinced a significant part of the Northern public that the war could not be won without attacking slavery.” (Foner, Mahoney, p. 16) Thus, after their defeat, the Confederate states were forced to swear on abolishing slavery and eventually free their black slaves. The moderates and radicals among the Republicans agreed that it was essential in guaranteeing the perpetual union among the states. The Reconstruction period saw the active participation of abolitionists and the rise of anti-slavery populace. Harper’s Weekly documented some of the most impassioned articles, which appealed for equal rights. In its June 3, 1865 issue, it stated: “Is that, by any torture of terms, to be justly called a republican form of government which arbitrarily disfranchises an immense body of the adult freemen of a State because of their complexion or race? Can they be more righteously disfranchised because of their hue than because of their height or age or profession? They have the same natural rights as men, they have the same interests in the commonwealth as all others, and their rights and interests are no safer in the hands of those others than those of the others would be in theirs.“ Although not altogether successful due to the government’s leniency, the Reconstruction was able to sow the seeds that would eventually be the root of the emancipation of the black people (also popularly known as Freemen) and their alleviation from second-class citizens in the coming years. Completely abolishing slavery paved the way for the introduction of a number of breakthroughs in the civil rights of the Black Americans such as suffrage and certain labor rights. One such example was the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which created and protected black civil rights in the South. The Constitution was also amended several times within the Reconstruction period to check efforts to undermine black civil rights. The era saw the promulgation of 13th, 14th and 15th Constitutional Amendments. “The 13th abolished slavery, the 14th granted federal civil rights to every person born in the United States, as well as to naturalized citizens, and guaranteed repayment of the American war debts and repudiation of the Confederate debts. The 15th decreed that the right to vote could not be denied because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (Wikipedia, par. 12) The Reconstruction period tried to attain equal rights for the Freemen. Even though such noble intention was not achieved in its time, the abovementioned amendments had been the basis of the government’s protection for equal rights in its citizens to this day, regardless of race, color or belief. Reconstruction and Economics The Civil War led the Reconstruction to a period with robust economy. It has been said that the Whigs of Britain, which encouraged internal improvement and business activity, influenced the Republicans and their economic policies. During the Civil War, for example, the federal government was a major market for all kinds of goods from battleship to shoes. This was the reason why there was a boom in major industries among the northern states during the period. The war even proved to be a catalyst in the modernization of agriculture as farmers searched for alternative ways of farming. The scarcity of available farm hands enabled the use of new equipments to bring in crops.2 It was also during in the Reconstruction that the Homestead Act 1862 was fully implemented. This landmark legislation “turned over vast amounts of the public domain to private citizens. 270 millions acres, or 10% of the area of the United States was claimed, settled and developed under this act. “A homesteader had only to be the head of a household and at least 21 years of age to claim a 160 acre parcel of land. Settlers from all walks of life including newly arrived immigrants, farmers without land of their own from the East, single women and former slaves came to meet the challenge of "proving up" and keeping this "free land".” (NPS, par. 1) The Pacific Railroad Act was also vigorously implemented during the Reconstruction, a legislation that provided generous subsidies to the construction of railroads. Historians all agree that these railroads “determined the pace of economic development in nineteenth-century America… They were liberating - increasing mobility and speed across the continent - as well as confining: they held the power of economic life and death over many communities” (van Ophem, par. 1) In fact, in the coming decades, the railroads would provide the backbone for America’s industrialization. The Reconstruction also saw the emergence of a strong American banking sector. This was credited to the previous war, which laid the foundation of a financial system responsive of the changing times. Banking reforms and currency changes were introduced. “The Republican government issued bonds and also reformed banking practices. U.S. emerged from the Civil War with a more centralized system that included national banks that helped regulate U.S. currency. Bonds provided important investment for wealthy investors. “By the end of the Reconstruction, the U.S. government had become a major supporter of large scale business.” (Spurlock) Reconstruction and Beyond Government leniency, corruption, political accommodation and, some say, the weariness of the Northern states with being in constant conflict with the Southern states led to the frustration of what the Reconstruction period stood for. Indeed, “The end of Reconstruction marked the beginning of the end of most civil, political, and economic rights and opportunities for African Americans, and ushered in an era some historians refer to as the nadir of American race relations. The exact process varied state by state and town by town… Blacks would legally and socially remain second-class citizens until change began with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.” (Wikipedia) Historians would initially view the Reconstruction as a failure when one examined its goals and what these had become in the period after. However, some contemporary historians start to see the Reconstruction and its legacies in a different light. These are historians who credit the Reconstruction period as the basis for the Civil Rights Movement which spawned in the 1960s.” The Voting Rights Act of 1965 stands today as one of the signal legislative achievements of modern democracy. Without the passage of this act along with intense and sustained federal involvement and enforcement, no meaningful and lasting rights for African Americans could have been secured… It is no accident that historians call this period the Second Reconstruction.” (PFAW) Historians sympathetic to the Civil Rights Movement argue that the Reconstruction era was an unfinished crusade and eventually was completed or continually being pursued. In conclusion, the impact of the Reconstruction on equal rights and economic gains Americans continue to enjoy this day cannot be underestimated. We reap the benefits of the Reconstruction era which have espoused ideals the United States of America cannot live without. Works Cited Foner, Eric and Mahoney Olivia, America’s Reconstruction. Louisiana State University Press, Reprint edition, 1997 Harpers Weekly, “Toward Racial Equality: Reconstruction” June 1865. 28 February 2006 “Homestead National Monument of America: Homestead Act” National Park Service. 01 March 2006 http://www.nps.gov/home/homestead_act.html “Reconstruction,” Wikipedia 01 March 2006 www.wikipedia.com Spurlock, John, “Lecture 7: Reconstruction,” March 2005, Seton Hill University, 01 March 2006 < http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JohnSpurlock/Montenegro/2005_03.html> “The Second Reconstruction: The 1965 Voting Rights Act,” The Long Shadow of Jim Crow: Voter Intimidation and Suppression in America Today. People for the American Way (PFAW) 01 March 2006 Van Ophem, Marieke “The Iron Horse: the impact of the railroads on 19th century American society.” What was the Impact of the Railroads? 28 February 2006 < http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/E/ironhorse/ironhorse30.htm> Read More