The American Civil War is arguably the most significant turning point in the development of the United States. While the Revolutionary War created a new nation, the Civil War finally clarified the ambiguous relationship between the individual states and the federal government. The War also clarified the long-standing question regarding slavery: the Peculiar Institution was not compatible with the ideals of freedom emanating from the Constitution.
Unfortunately, more than half-million Americans sacrificed their lives in defense of their principles and beliefs. Even more unfortunate was the fact that the years following the Civil War would be marked by governmental failures in reconciling the now-former slaves into American society. The introduction of black codes in the South, and the acceptance of them by the North, illustrated that many Americans abhorred slavery but also abhorred the idea that blacks should have an equal status in American Society.
Federal Reaction to the Reconstruction
While they were united in their beliefs that the South was not justified in seceding from the Union, the members of the ruling Republican Party were at odds with each other on the direction of the post-war policies. Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson favored strong presidential control and influence while those congressmen known as “Radical Republicans” favored punishment for Confederate leaders and Congressional control of the Reconstruction polices.
It is unknown how Abraham Lincoln would have managed those in his party, let alone the defeated Confederacy. John Wilkes Booth ended his life at Ford’s Theater and any chance that the Reconstruction would continue without animosity. Such animosity further manifested itself in the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. While these events will forever be milestones in the history of this country, they overshadowed one important fact: blacks throughout the South were still suffering under the burden of racism and violence.
The Freedmen’s Bureau
The Freedmen’s Bureau was perhaps the one Reconstruction agency that actually had a chance for success. Unfortunately, politics proved in insurmountable obstacle. The Bureau succeeded in creating schools at all levels for the children of former slaves. Many of the colleges created during this era continue educating black children to this day. However, the Bureau officials failed at physically protecting blacks from the hostilities of Southern whites. Understandably, many whites felt uncertain about their social and economic futures after the Civil War. Regrettably, that uncertainty manifested itself into horrific violent acts against blacks, many of which were completely unprovoked.
There is no question that Abraham Lincoln used the Civil War to end slavery in this country. However, there was literally no consensus within the Republican Party as to the course of the nation in the upcoming post-war years. Constitutionally, blacks were given their freedom and the opportunity to vote, but little was done to make violence against them a federal crime. As a result, black codes and Jim Crow soon appeared ensuring blacks were relegated to the lowest rungs of America’s societal and economic ladders. It would be almost one-hundred years before Jim Crow would finally be put to rest.
Reference:
DuBois, W.E.B. (1995). Souls of Black Folk. New York: Penguin.
Ron Goodwin - I remember my first day of history class as an undergraduate. The first day of any class is often stressful but history was particularly ...
