15 Reconstruction

1865–1877

The Civil War sparked more questions than it settled. While the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution unambiguously decided the question of slavery, practical issues concerning freedmen’s rights persisted. In the face of white southern resistance and northern fatigue, the national government created federal agencies to help freedmen transition from slavery to freedom, a journey that was burdened by persistent racism. Opposition came from those who continued to believe African Americans were either incapable of self-government — much less governing the state — or were susceptible to the political manipulation of northern opportunists. Policymakers faced other perplexing questions regarding the relationship of the former Confederate states to the Union and the social, economic, and political challenges facing a defeated South. Though this political turmoil led to a presidential impeachment, exacerbated strained relationships between the North and South, and gave birth to white-hooded violence, one undeniable truth stood out: African Americans were free.