Effects Of Reconstruction After The Civil War

Reconstruction after the Civil War was heavily depended on the use of Federal power. Many southern whites did not adjust well to being an equal to an African American, and in turn went on to create laws that restricted their newly gained rights. Reconstruction after the Civil War was a partial success because African Americans did gain some rights; but, it was a failure after the Federal Government decreased its hold on the southern states. African Americans gained the right to vote, be legally married, and hold offices in city. While on the other hand where they lived was regulated, and they could not gather without the permission of whites. The Civil War for the south was about much more than states rights; it was about maintaining order and the way of life for southerners that wanted to keep African Americans bond to the land. Reconstruction is the aftermath of the war, but the legislation that followed are just ways of maintaining control over African Americans. The first document to examine is Carl Schurz Reports on the Condition of the Defeated South, and …show more content…
The document come from Felix Holbrook an African American that pleaded to the stated government to overturn slavery, or make the condition of a slave easier. This document is important to understand the attitude change brought on by the American Revolution. It also shows how African Americans use revolutionary ideology. Felix is trying to get the the state to realize what they had done wrong. Felix states, “We have no Property! We have no Wives! We have have no Children!” (Petition; page 43). This sentence is outlining to the Government of Massachusett, that whites have taken everything the slaves, just like the British in the colony’s. The document is important to understanding the theme of this paper, because people still had not fully realized what they had done