Introduction
The “Reconstruction Period occurred when the federal government highlighted the best conditions to support every Southern State” (Hoffman and Gjerde 13). Many historians believe strongly that the Reconstruction Period started in 1863. The people of American encountered great pain and uncertainty. Many leaders “lacked appropriate strategies to introduce the Confederacy into the Union during the period” (Olson and Roberts 19).
Analysis of the Reconstruction Period
Many people in America were uncertain about the future of every slave after the Civil War. This issue resulted in a major conflict between the South and the North. Several laws and changes became common during the period. The period resulted in several Constitutional Amendments. For instance, the Thirteenth Amendment addressed critical issues such as slavery (Olson and Roberts 48). The Fourteenth Amendment protected every male citizen in the country.
The Fifteenth Amendment encouraged many African-Americans to vote. Such laws made it easier for different states to join the Union. The famous Presidential Reconstruction took place during the period. The president proposed better policies in order to support every Southern State. New changes were evident during the period. For instance, many leaders “wanted to reverse the rights of different African Americans” (Olson and Roberts 61). The Republican Party wanted to “divide and rule every Southern State” (Olson and Roberts 63).
The historical significance of this period is undeniable. The Reconstruction Period also produced new policies and ideas. Such ideas dictated the fate of every Southern State. Many “leaders wanted to produce better inter-racial relationships in the county” (Olson and Roberts 69).
Congress was unable to support the needs of different states. Majority of these states were unable to join the Union. Abraham Lincoln wanted to make every African American free. The Reconstruction Period also “encouraged the country to identify new methods of production” (Olson and Roberts 49). This development supported the country’s economy.
This period forced every Southern State to depend on cotton. This move affected the region’s economy. The Democratic Party monopolized the politics of the country. Violence was also common during the period. The Reconstruction Period affected the lives of many people in every Southern State.
The period also resulted in enmity between the North and the South. The period made it easier for many African Americans to acquire new liberties. However, many individual did not achieve their goals. This fact explains why prejudice has remained a major challenge in the country. This analysis explains why “Eric Foner called Reconstruction an Unfinished Revolution” (Hoffman and Gjerde 75). This historical period redefined the future of the United States.
Many artists have represented the Reconstruction Period in popular culture. A good example is the film “The Birth of a Nation”. The film highlights some of the roles undertaken by different minority groups during the period. The film “The Birth of a Nation” dramatizes the relationships exhibited by different cultural groups during the period.
The above film also dramatizes the assassination of John Booth and Abraham Lincoln. Some works of art “have also explored the challenges and obstacles encountered by different soldiers during the period” (Hoffman and Gjerde 104). Such works of art have encouraged more people to analyze the issues associated with the period.
Conclusion
The Reconstruction Period reshaped the future of the United States. This fact explains why many Americans have portrayed the period in popular culture. Many works of art have portrayed the social positions of different African Americans and Whites during the period. That being the case, many Americans will always portray the Reconstruction Period in the country’s popular culture.
Works Cited
Hoffman, Cobbs, and John Gjerde. Major Problems in American History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Print.
Olson, James, and Randy Roberts. My Lai: A Brief History with Documents. St. Martins: Bedford Series in History and Culture, 1998. Print.