Question

What positive changes occurred for blacks during the Reconstruction years? In what ways were the positive changes accomplished by Reconstruction diminished over time?

Answer 1

During Reconstruction years, many positive changes occurred for blacks.

With the victory of the Union in the Civil War, slavery was finally abolished in the United States through the incorporation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In addition, two other amendments were incorporated: the Fourteenth Amendment, which granted American citizenship to African Americans; and the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted them the right to vote.

These rights were effective only until the end of the Reconstruction in 1877, that is, for 12 years. In 1877 the Democrats regained control of the American South, beginning to restrain these rights again through poll tests that limited the right to vote of blacks, and different forms of precarious work that closely resembled slavery itself.

Answer 2

The country changed significantly during the Civil War, and it continued to change during the years of Reconstruction. This was particularly true for Black people. Several things improved for them during these years. Slavery ended with the Civil War, and three amendments were passed that protected their rights (the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth). These were positive steps towards racial equality. However, these benefits diminished over time. Enforcement was extremely difficult, especially in areas that were reluctant to adopting them. Moreover, black people remained poor and uneducated, which made them targets for abuse. White supremacists were also a significant force that complicated racial equality.