Reconstruction was socially successful in its early years but ultimately failed because of southern resistance and the rise of powerful hate groups. The social aspect of Reconstruction began eight month after the end of the Civil War, with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in December 1865. According to document B the 13th amendment officially ended the practice of slavery, stating: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude... shall exist within the United States.” The 13th amendment allowed four million ex-slaves to become freedmen. To protect these freedmen, a new government agency called the Freedmen's Bureau would be established in 1865. However these successes did not last long, for the next two years (1865-66) a series of racist
