The Benefits Of Reconstruction

Reconstruction was a time of major change for African Americans. This included economic, social, and political progress. Reconstruction was beneficial to everyone, even though African Americans were the ones who benefitted the most. A public school system was established to give equal education to all children, no matter their age, race, or color. The Southern economy had to be rebuilt after the Civil War. An interracial democracy was introduced into politics. People have said Reconstruction is responsible for reuniting the United States. For the first time in our history, African Americans felt like they were wanted and had a purpose in the United States.

Reason 1: 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment was passed in 1865. It states, “Neither slavery

nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist in the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” (Legal Information Institute) With the passing of this amendment came the demolition of the Institution of Slavery. This institution had existed in America since 1607. (History Lessons) By this point, slavery was already coming to an end, even though there were nearly 4 million slaves working in the United States at one point in time. Technology was being invented to do jobs faster and more efficiently. Eli Whitney, for example, invented the cotton gin. This machine separated the seeds from its cotton, which in turn raised the demand for cotton. African Americans could no longer be treated as property, be bought, or be sold. The African Americans were being treated as individual human beings instead of objects. African Americans no longer had to fear being separated from their loved ones. They could start living together and building an actual family. Women did not want to have to work, despite what white planters said. Slowly, African American families began leaving white churches, as they were still not being treated equally. They established their own churches and were slowly gaining their own independence. When white people could no longer enforce slavery. With the loss of their workers, they could no longer produce the product they needed to survive. Public welfare emerged to help out the people who couldn’t support their families. Care for the disadvantaged was introduced as one of the government’s main missions.
Reason 2: 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment became ratified in 1868.

This amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”(Legal Information Institute) This means all people born in the United States are citizens of America and the state in which they were born. No laws can be made to cut the privileges of citizens based on race. Life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness cannot be taken without due process of law. An example is the case of Brown vs the Board of Education. This case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The ended with the segregation of schools being unconstitutional and discriminated against races. (Oyez-ITT) During this time period, on the other hand, racial groups that did not agree with this emerged. One example is the KKK emerged in 1865. They fought for white supremacy and believed blacks should not gain equal rights. Members would go on night rides and terrorized whoever they wanted during the quiet hours of the night. The Klan members wore white robes and hoods to hide their faces, but identify as a member. They caused a lot of violence and unrest, mostly to African Americans. As time progressed, the Klan has appeared in waves. They disappear for a while, but eventually show up again. They still have members today, but are becoming weaker. In the past, they have been known for tar-and-featherings, rape, and lynchings. (Southern Poverty Law

Center)

Reason 3: 15th Amendment
In 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified. “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (Legal Information Institute) African Americans gained rights in politics. Before the right was granted, former slaves had many questions. They didn’t know what a republican government was, if the government should provide equal education, and how equality could be reconciled when so many things were not equal. They never learned anything. They only did what they were told. “I knew nothing more than to obey my master,” (James K Greene.) The best option for them was to learn as they went on. African Americans had to teach their children as they were learning themselves. As time progressed, African Americans were the majority of voters in the South. They were also allowed to be elected into public office. Around 100 of the 265 people elected that year, were born into slavery. Also, 16 African Americans served in the United States 3 Congress and more than 600 served in state legislatures across the country. The African Americans learned the ways of politics very quickly and were able to contribute to their governments. (History)
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Reconstruction was a success. It enforced and unlimited the ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence. All men were to be treated equal, for as they were created equal. America gave rights to everyone in the country. To some people, Reconstruction didn’t effect them much. On the other hand, African Americans gained many rights and were beginning to be treated as human beings. Public school was introduced, benefitting all children. This gave the minimum amount of knowledge needed to survive. Equal citizenship took a long time to go into effect. Some people today still don’t believe everything is equal. There is still some discrimination against races, but it is on a case by case basis. Not all people are racist. Equality of rights was one of the first steps to making America free. Giving rights to all people was the major reason to make Reconstruction a success.