Racial Inequality in Reconstruction Era's Regulations

Reconstruction began when President Abraham Lincoln issued Emancipation Proclamation December 1863. President Abraham’s plan to weaken the confederacy by taking oath of loyalty from at 10 % prewar voters to establish new state governments couldn’t yield expected results but certainly had put heavy dents on the confederates. Reconstruction may be considered the result of terrible war between those who wanted to see all the states united under union flag and those who wanted loose confederation.

The Civil War lasted four years. It began in April 1861 and ended in June 1865. It brought misery, hunger and devastation. The nation was torn apart. Hundreds died miserable death from both the sides. The South was placed under military governments and divided into 6 military districts. The Federal Government was declared the Supreme Authority. The southern states were allowed to join the Union after taking permission from the military. The war had shaken the social and political fabric of the American society but it also changed the thinking of White man. He started thinking about the unjust and cruel treatment the Blacks had faced. The major problem for the US government was to integrate and reunite the country. All these were uphill tasks and needed concerted effort. Another objective was to remodel the South and its ravaged economical structure. Another major task for the Federates was to abolish slavery and honor the African – Americans as equal humans and give them basic human rights such as Freedom to live wherever they want and the right to vote.

The Reconstruction period expands from 1865 to 1877. Although the Civil War had ended, yet the turmoil and turbulence was rampant. The US was like “broken pieces of glasses”, the federal government had to start rebuilding the country from the scratch. It was a time for “putting pieces together.” The harsh memories of terrible Civil War were still haunting people’s mind. The misery, death and injuries had torn apart the common man. Specially, the people of the South had suffered more. The economic progress had been converted into adversity. Still threats of more casualties and hunger were looming large as there was no everlasting peace.

By the 13th Amendment of the parliament in 1865, more than 1865, more than 4 million former slaves were given freedom. It was a huge step towards equality, justice and fraternity. It was the time when many politicians presented their plans of reconstruction or restructuring of the country. Among all these plans, President Abraham Lincoln’s plan was considered more viable and practical. According to this plan, ‘slavery’ had to be condemned in all its manifestations. All those states who wanted to join the UNION had to declare at least 10 % black voters and also had to accept emancipation of slavery as well as swearing loyalty to the government.

On 14th April 1865, Great Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in a theatre. After his death, some parliamentarians from the Republican Party emerged as new leaders of this era. They put forward their own proposals for the reconstructions. They were called Radicals. Each one of them had different agenda of reforms for the freedom of the African Americans. Three Famous Radicals: Basically these radicals had two-point agenda. One was to punish the South for waging war and make them pay for all the losses. Secondly, they wanted to protect the rights of those who had gained liberty. However, they wanted to abolish slavery and the cruel treatment with the black people by the white.

Thaddaus Simons, Charles Summer and Andrew Johnson were the most significant political figures. Thaddaus Simon was a a politician and member of the House of Representatives. His main focus was to create economic resources for the Blacks so that they may earn their livelihood without any one’s support. Charles Summer was a senator and his main concern was that Blacks should be given political rights. He believed that all men are born equal and this paradigm should be included in the American constitution.

But the most important of all of them was President Andrew Johnson who had held the office of Vice President during the reign of Abraham Lincoln. His plan was similar to that of Abraham Lincoln. He was severely criticized for pardoning more than 13000 Whites for the atrocities they had committed. It was also a fact that Andrew couldn’t do anything for the political rights of the Blacks. In 1868 he was impeached by the parliament. He was not removed from the office but was left without authority.

Now US Congressmen came up with their own plan of reconstruction. The parliament had two-point agenda which they wanted to implement.

• Troops were needed to take over the houses/buildings of the Confederates in the South.
• Any state which wanted to join the Union was to accept the 14th Amendment which stipulated that all men born in the US were its legitimate citizens and they were guaranteed equal and just treatment.

If we review the successes of Reconstruction closely we can say that the movement was able to achieve these goals.

• The main goal of Civil War to unite the country was achieved. The Union was secure and the Federal Government was declared the supreme authority.
• Slavery was abolished for good by the 13th Amendment. 14th Amendment defined citizenship and protected the civil rights of all Americans.
• According to 15th Amendment, African Americans were given full support to make them economically independent and allowed to play effective role in politics and in society.
• All blacks were motivated to get education in order to earn their livelihood.
• The southern states economy was in shambles. All-out effort was made to reconstruct the infrastructure like roads, government buildings, schools, hospitals and other places
• Black churches and institutions were given full liberty. New multinational cultural venues were created.

Everything appeared to be moving in the right direction. There was sense of joy and freedom among the blacks as they had won their long cherished dream of independence above all the right to vote through legislation. But the time proved that many plans could not turn into reality. They failed to elevate the sufferings of the blacks. The Blacks were never elevated to educational and social equality. Even after legislation they were subdued and forced to lead miserable life. Conservatism and racism always hampered the path towards their ultimate freedom as independent citizens and politically and socially viable figures. Equal rights for the white and black remained an unfulfilled dream. Another fact highlighting its failure is that both these communities remained segregated despite all sincere efforts. The era of reconstruction seemed to have passed away without causing any major breakthrough.

Reconstruction faced many challenges which eclipsed its successes. Southern whites were very uncooperative and resisted reforms. A few people called Carpet beggars took undue advantages of the situations and indulged in looting and killings. The officials were inexperienced and were unable to resolve tricky issues. Terrorist groups like Ku Klux Klan appeared to maintain the supremacy of the whites and killed many blacks and those who supported them. There was chaos in the society and deep frustration in the minds of young people. Reconstruction failed to curb violent activities against innocent black workers.

Although there was industrialization but the South remained agriculture hub. They used the term ‘share cropping’ to keep the blacks working on the white man’s field. The southern states showed their insincerity in granting full freedom to the blacks even after the reconstruction period was over. Land remained in the control of the whites. Land distribution should have done through proper legislation but the federal government feared that it could be termed as an attack on personal property. It became obvious that the victories of Reconstruction were limited and generally reversed exposing the flaws in the legislation. It also exposed the rhetorical statements about freedom of the blacks because their passion for a change fizzled out soon.