The Process and Results of the Reconstruction - Essay Example

The paper "The Process and Results of the Reconstruction" is an outstanding example of an essay on social science. During the Reconstruction, Radical Republicans’ main vision was to rebuild and transform the South through rejoining all the states in a peaceful manner. They sought to introduce military governors as a replacement of confederate leaders and stop their political life. Another vision was to empower Black people by offering them land and education. White supremacy guided Andrew Johnson’s view of the Reconstruction. He saw confederate leaders as the cause of the war, rather than the entire South. The Radical Republicans proposed tougher measures for the loyalty oath. 

Johnson prohibited laws that protected Blacks but Congress disapproved of his proposals.
Before the Reconstruction, Blacks had virtually no rights. During the Reconstruction, they had some basic rights based on the 13th Amendment. After the Reconstruction, military governors abolished Black codes and they later became citizens with civil rights. African Americans were not only allowed to vote, but they also contested public offices. They diversified their interests and the government became more integrated, albeit briefly.
The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments promoted the civil rights of Blacks and led to some changes in governance. The laws declared everybody born in the US a citizen of the country and his or her respective state. Black families that had separated during the war reunited, and they were allowed to legalize their marriage unions. States were denied the power to deny rights or fail to offer equal protection. In addition, confederates were removed from office, as Blacks became empowered. Largely, they sought to present Blacks with equal opportunities accorded to Whites. The results of the Reconstruction had mixed results, but it largely yielded positive results, such as quelling the debate of states’ rights vs. federalism. Read More