The United States Underwent Rebuilding Following the Civil War
The United States underwent rebuilding following the Civil War. Between 1861 and 1865, the entire history of the United States was covered during this time, as was the change of the southern portion of the nation between 1866 and 1877. The remembrance of the civil war was promoted by ideologies like racial harmony, emancipation, and white supremacy, among others. The idea of reconciliation was to lessen the effects of mortality and destruction left over from the conflict. The vision of white supremacists brought terror, violence, as well as power. Moreover, the idea of emancipationists introduced equality and constitutional equality for the black community. The United States made progress regarding liberty, equality, and power, after the civil war (Murrin et al. 9).
Power
In the United States, power defines the extraordinary nature, strength, resources, also responsibilities of a citizen. Undoubtedly, the civil war was a watershed in the United States democracy. The country succeeded in sharing power because of its victory in the north, the end of slavery, also the enactment of frameworks of amendments. Furthermore, democracy and governance were under a single umbrella, as a result, undermined by the constitution. Remarkably, in the course of the civil war, the citizens contributed little on matters relating to governance. Moreover, there was no devolvement of justice and power was under a unitary structure. People minimally participated in politics, and neither understood nor embraced their role in the public agenda. After the reconstruction of the United States, political equality also liberalization of power presented enormous democracy progress.
The Country Moved From an Oligarchy Government to a Democratic State
In the course of reconstruction, the white supremacists ruled, as a result, maintained agriculture as a source of economics, over the industry. The government reduced taxes, as well as lessened the services of the state. Over time, democratic government was embraced that promotes peace and economic development to all.
New laws, as well as constitutional amendments forever, changed the citizenship's definition also the federal structure, at the national level. For the first time, these measures enshrined in the laws of America the principles that race could not abridge the rights of a citizen. As a result, a new government was formed in the south and was elected by both African-Americans and whites, serving as the first test of democracy from several from multi-races.
Until Now, the United States Tax Structure Has Been Changed
Now, the states control taxes instead of individuals. In the earliest days, wealthy landowners, especially in the South, were allowed to evaluate their own land's value, resulting in almost valueless collections. Most of the taxes came from the slave auctions. The states designed new tax structures that forced large estates owners or else individuals with vast tracts of land which is uncultivated to sell or else have the land confiscated if a tax is not paid. The property was then redistributed to the landless African-Americans as well as poor whites.
Liberty
With the protection of the amendment frameworks such as the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth amendments, as well as the 1866 act of civil rights, the black community received the right to vote. Furthermore, African-Americans were allowed to participate in the process of politics, own land, seek employment, and use public facilities. The blacks enjoyed the freedom to make their own choices through choosing the type of work to perform.
African Americans started to be elected to the legislature. For instance, in 1878, there was a majority of the black community in the legislature of South Carolina. In South Carolina, the African-Americans were more than the whites. Several black representatives were elected by the newly enfranchised voters. In return, the legislators rewrote the constitution of the state and passed laws warranting public education aid, as well as collective civil rights. Furthermore, some laws were brought up to protect individuals in places of work such as labor contracts, while others circumscribed their rights of citizenship.
In the nineteenth century, African Americans were given the opportunity to serve as the senators of the United States such as Blanche Bruce from Mississippi. Some of them were even appointed in government positions, for example, Frederick Douglass worked as a minister resident. Several families that had been separated reunited. Presently, the existing family relations are solidified. Several families, who had lived in family units, isolated because of the slave trade. For the period of civil war, the marriages of the African Americans did not legally stand. Over time, they registered their unions before the local authorities, as well as the Bureau of the Freedmen (Randall and David 25).
Equality
The 1863 emancipation proclamation freed the black community in the rebel states as well as after the civil war. All over the country, the slaves were emancipated by the thirteenth amendment. After the period of reconstruction, the whites and African-Americans lived together in a society which criticized slavery. Moreover, teachers of the white and black origin, missionary establishments, churches, and learning institutions worked tirelessly to give the freed people a learning opportunity. Both elementary and college schools provided several opportunities such as reading and writing rudiments. Former slaves embraced the opportunity and pursued the tools of freedom.
Several years after the civil war, the African Americans pursued equal rights in all sectors of life of Americans. Ending discrimination, same rights before the law, as well as equal education and employment was crucial. During the period of reconstruction, racism prevented leaders from responding to the demands of specific races such as black community. For instance, President Johnson did not get the support of the Congress for the reason that he was responding to the demands of American-Americans. The president was almost impeached. Today, power does not depend on race. President Obama had the support of both the blacks and whites. The Congress cannot interfere with power because of racial issues.
The civil rights movement ensured that, in 1964 and 1965, all Americans, especially the African Americans, were subjected to equal civil rights. As a result, the country experienced a shortage of labor. Freed labor is not rigidly controlled as slave labor. Currently, the nation depends on immigrants to fill the low-income work. The growth of urban cities offered equal employment chances. The banking industry provided all Americans equal opportunities. After the civil war, farmers of the black and white communities acquired credit from the local merchants. The citizens of the United States realized economic independence. Currently, the banking industry has made a huge step and is offering Americans equal opportunities for loans.
Conclusion
Recently, has progressed in matters relating to political as well as social agenda. The achievements are far-reaching since the segregation of races has been outlawed, there is equality in the system of voting, and holding public offices. Some areas have not been adequately addressed, for instance, economic inequalities amongst the citizens. The rates of unemployment are higher in the black community than the whites, even if several African-Americans have progressed to the middle class. All in all, the nation has advanced well in issues of equality, liberty, and power, even though the revolution remains unfinished.
Works Cited
Murrin, John M., et al. Liberty, equality, power: A history of the American people. Cengage Learning, 2011.
Randall, James Garfield, and David Donald. The Civil War and Reconstruction. Pickle Partners Publishing, 2016.
