Question

40 POINTS FOR HELP--!!! Read this presentation on changes occurring during Reconstruction. Then, use the information you have learned from the article and throughout the lesson to complete this charting activity. Three topics are provided; you can include up to two more of interest. Include informed opinion about how and whether the changes occurring in the South represented successes or failures in Reconstruction. Then, write an editorial evaluating progress (or lack thereof). Be sure your editorial is clear in its stance, and cite specific examples to support your opinion.

Answer 1

Economy: The reconstruction sought to leave the economy of the southern states, just like the economy of the northern states, however, this should be done through free labor, without the use of slaves. The plan was undoubtedly very beautiful, but it did not happen the way it was established. The southern states suffered a strong economic repression in the first years of the reconstruction and although they managed to reestablish themselves over time, the economy in these states never managed to reach what the economy of the northern states presents.

Politics: The reconstruction sought to limit the participation of southerners in politics, this did happen, but it did not have good results, since there was a great regime of southerners and moments of abuse of power and neglect of northern politicians who believed that southerners needed be punished. In addition, the laws and guidelines established in the region, stimulated the existence of racism and racial segregation, which shows that the reconstruction policy was not able to achieve its objectives.

Education: The idea of reconstruction was to build schools in the south so that people had full access to education. However, no project was carried out that showed the importance of building schools, even if this construction was carried out by northerners. The southerners rejected these schools and destroyed them again for fear that their children would be contaminated with northern ideas and this was yet another failed strategy for the reconstruction of the south.

Editorial:

Although the intention of the reconstruction was good, we can say that it was not carried out efficiently. This is because, the reconstruction failed to diminish the rejection and the feeling of disdain that southerners feel for northerners. This issue should have been an issue discussed during the establishment of reconstruction.

The lack of discussion on this topic meant that the reconstruction strategies that the government presented were rejected by the people, which made all strategies a failure.