The Reconstruction Period and Its Impact on African Americans
The end of the slave trade is referred to as the Reconstruction Period. In fact, during the reconstruction, over 4 million slaves were liberated. African Americans were freed in particular as a consequence of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. The Congress carried out the Reconstruction process from 1866 to 1877 with the aim of reorganizing the Southern states following the Civil War. Despite the good intentions to benefit African Americans, it generally had different impacts on them. African Americans were given a say in political decisions thanks to the Reconstruction process. African Americans in particular were granted the right to vote. Indeed, men were given the right to vote and allowed to run for political office. Therefore, it was possible for them to decide on the type of leaders they vouched for. The ability to vote equally meant that the concerns of African Americans would be taken into consideration because of their representatives.
Access to Education for African Americans
The African Americans had the opportunity to access education following the Reconstruction period. In essence, the Freedman's Bureau established the public schools to allow African Americans to be educated. Indeed, the decision was instrumental since it would ensure a reduction in the overall illiteracy levels that African Americans were known for. Furthermore, more African Americans got opportunities to become teachers, a change from the initial arrangement where most educators comprised of whites. In addition, the Bureau allowed them to access funds which they would later use in constructing schools and providing subsistence including food, medical care, and clothes.
Economic Empowerment of African Americans
The Reconstruction period was essential in economically empowering African Americans. Indeed, their economic situation improved significantly since most of them were able to move to towns where they could access jobs and opportunities. Through such activities, it was possible for the African Americans to uplift their economic status. Besides, agricultural activities were improved that promoted the economic favorable condition for African Americans. Additionally, they could acquire land from the original landowners. The ability to own land meant that they could engage in intensive farming activities to improve their livelihoods. Thus, significant economic progress was achieved by the people during the period of Reconstruction.
Challenges and Opposition to Reconstruction
Despite the significant achievements manifested during the Reconstruction period, there were growing concerns regarding the issue. In particular, opposition grew against the issue of Reconstruction as the freedom of slaves was perceived as being detrimental. Therefore, measures were adopted toward eroding the aspect.
The era resulted in the development of deep hatred as the Southern States ended up being resentful. Efforts were directed toward ensuring that slavery was maintained. In particular, the Southern States decided to pass the Black codes which played a crucial role in restricting rights of African Americans. The existence of the Fourth Amendment did not succeed much in ensuring the protection of the African Americans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Reconstruction period had a mixture of effects on African Americans. Overall, they were able to access opportunities that could improve their lives. However, it created animosity as the period was marked by opposition.
Bibliography
Fox Jr, James W. “Vision and Revision: Exploring the History, Evolution, and Future of the Fourteenth Amendment: Democratic Citizenship and Congressional Reconstruction: Defining and Implementing the Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship”. Temp. Pol.& Civ. Rts. L. Rev. 13 (2004): 453-963.
Nieman, Donald G. “To set the law in motion: the freedmen's bureau and the legal rights of blacks, 1865-1868”. Vol. I And II. PhD diss., Rice University, 1975.
Norton, Mary Beth, Carol Sheriff, David W. Blight, and Howard Chudacoff. A People and a Nation: A History of the United States, Volume II: Since 1865. Cengage Learning, 2011.
