Final answer:
The quote refers to the outcome of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The North won the Civil War and abolished slavery, but the South was able to resist the changes imposed during Reconstruction and maintain power through discriminatory policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote "the North won the Civil War, but the South won the war of Reconstruction" refers to the outcome of the Civil War and its aftermath. The North, represented by the Union, emerged as the victor of the Civil War, as they were able to preserve the Union and abolish slavery with the Thirteenth Amendment. However, the South, despite being defeated in the war, was able to exert significant influence during the period of Reconstruction, through resistance and the implementation of discriminatory policies.
During Reconstruction, the Southern states were required to undergo a process of readmission to the Union, with conditions set by the federal government. However, many white Southerners were resistant to the changes being imposed upon them, and they sought to maintain their power and control over the newly freed African Americans. This resistance manifested through violence, the rise of organizations like the Ku Klux Klan, and the passing of Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination.
As a result, the South was able to undermine and reverse many of the gains made during Reconstruction. African Americans, despite being granted legal rights and protections, faced widespread discrimination and a denial of their full citizenship, as Southern states implemented policies that enforced racial inequality and limited voting rights through practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes.