Final answer:
Reconstruction brought opportunities and rights to African Americans but also saw persistent challenges, including discriminatory Black codes and segregation, making the impact of Reconstruction varied by region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of Reconstruction on blacks in the post-Civil War era can best be described as a period marked by both progressive changes and significant challenges. While Reconstruction did usher in more opportunities and rights for African Americans, such as equality before the law and the end to legal slavery, it also saw the rise of discriminatory practices through mechanisms like Black codes and social segregation. The legacy of Reconstruction was complex, with the abolition of slavery being a significant step towards equality, but it became clear that legal freedom did not equate to true social or economic equality. Southern planters and farmers with progressive views did reach out to help, but this was not uniform. Therefore, the answer to the student's question would be 'd. The impact varied by region.'