African American Post Civil War Growing Pains

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The American Civil War simply known as the Civil War was fought from 1861- 1865 in the United States. It resulted from sectional differences between the Northern and Southern territories. The main cause of the Civil War was slavery. The North and the South could not agree over the future of slaves, and this dispute led to secession which later resulted to war among the territories. After years of deadly battles, the Southerners were overpowered, and slavery abolished bringing in the reconstruction period. The reconstruction period which is the period of rebuilding the United States after the civil war is said to be a time of great pain, and endless questions to the United States (Gienapp, 2012). The Civil War led to the end of slavery, and three constitutional amendments which altered the nature of the African-American rights. The Thirteenth Amendment facilitated the abolishment of slavery in all territories, and states. What is more, the Fourteenth Amendment proscribed the US from depriving male citizens’ equal rights, and protection under the law, in spite of their race or color. Likewise, the Fifteenth Amendment granted all African-American males, the right to vote. All these changes and their ratification was a vital requirement for the Southerners to be re-admitted to the Union. As much as these changes were positive steps towards racial segregation, their enforcement proved difficult as the Southerners were against them, terming them as revenge, from the Northerners. The Southerners could not hold onto the idea that, black men could enjoy the same status as white men by being allowed to vote, and hold office (Reconstruction: American’s Unfinished Revolution, 2010). The reconstructions period lasted from 1865-1900, and w... ... middle of paper ... ... had to face the pain of having to work with them in the same offices as they were allowed to hold office, and also to vote for the leaders of their choice. African-Americans experienced difficulties during the industrial revolution from poor housing, low wages, and lack of health facilities. However, the American post war pains affected all the people in the United States. Works Cited Gienapp, William E. Title Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America: A Biography. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. Schultz, Kevin M. HIST: Volume 2: Since 1865. New York: Wadsworth, 2011. Print. Reconstruction: American’s Unfinished Revolution. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.academicamerican.com/recongildedage/topics/reconstruction/reconstruction.html Ford, Lacy K. A Companion to the Civil War and Reconstruction. New York City: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2005. Print.

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