The Major Failures of the U.S. Reconstruction policies after the Civil War The U.S. Reconstruction policies were developed and implemented by Congress to apply some sort of order to the southern states after the Civil War. The policies were designed to aid the failing government in combating the economic, political, and social problems that resulted post-war. Reconstruction began in 1865 and lasted until 1877 and that period is known to be one of the most tumultuous times of the United States history. Although, the U.S. government tried hard to firmly push Reconstruction; it ultimately failed. The research conducted will identify and explain the major failures within the U.S. Reconstruction policies. One of the main reasons why Reconstruction failed was due to the poor condition of former slaves. The south viewed Reconstruction as humiliating to them therefore they did not welcome the new policies with open arms. However, in March of 1865 Congress established the Freedmen’s Bureau to protect African Americans quality of life. The Freedmen’s Bureau would help ex-slaves move towards a life of being self-sufficient and blend into American Society. In December of 1865 the U.S. Congress ratified the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution therefore abolishing slavery. However, again Southern state legislatures refused the approval of the 13th Amendment and also began to deny African Americans the right to become full citizens of the United States. Surprisingly, Congress began to widely support the decision to grant blacks full citizenship. Nevertheless, southern Whites adopted “Black Codes” that were designed to regulate certain activity a freed slave could participate in. The codes would vary from state to state but were similar in more ways than one. Ex-slaves would be subject to enter uncompromising labor contracts with harsh violation consequences such as trading off dependents to pay off fines or corporal punishments.
