Final answer:
The 'miraculous window of hope' for freed men and women closed due to the end of Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow laws, and societal challenges that African Americans faced, despite the initial promise of Emancipation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "miraculous window of hope" described by the author refers to the brief period during Reconstruction after the Civil War when Emancipation and rights for freedmen were in sight. This period saw the passage of significant amendments to the Constitution, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th, which abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, and secured voting rights regardless of race. However, this window of opportunity closed because of several factors, including the end of Reconstruction, the return of conservative Southern governments, economic hardships, and the institution of Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. The transition to freedom brought about profound challenges, and the initial joy of emancipation quickly gave way to the harsh realities of what freedom actually entailed in a society not prepared to accept black people as equals.