Causes and Results of the Reconstruction

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times
The causes and results of the Reconstruction Era

The reevaluation that America faced during the Reconstruction era was a result of a tumultuous political epoch, a social caste-system already established in the south, and a period of economic distress and uncertainty. The political constituencies in both the north and the south proved to be in a constant contestment for power; as the era continued, the corruption and dislike for the opposing party became predominant. This rivalry also helped the racial and socio-economic casting to become a principal rite in southern society. By aggravating the southern whites with laws and regulation created for the purpose of revenge, northern Republicans caused the white men and women of the south to further distance themselves from the Black race. This issue of separation and segregation, accelerated also by the growing economic tension in the south, became one of the major problems that the south encountered. When the economy worsened to the point of a depression, the country became entangled in a web of corruption, racism, and persecution, which continued far after the reconstruction ended. This dimly lit period continues to be the most tragic point in American history, as demonstrated by the macabre and senseless violence and corruption that occurred throughout the era. The political tension in the Reconstruction Era proved to be one of the leading reasons as to why the era was so unsuccessful. When Lincoln was in office, the southerners had relative freedom, since they were given white male suffrage and relieved aid from the north. However, after Lincoln was assassinated, his successor, Andrew Johnson, caused a major uproar within the Republican Party because he pardoned all of the confederates and allowed confederates to reenter the congress. After Johnson granted universal male suffrage to the south, the democratic congressmen in the