Question 1: When did the Reconstruction Era officially begin?

Answer: 1865

Question 2: Who was President during the start of Reconstruction?

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Question 3: Name one of the main aims of the Reconstruction policies.

Answer: Reintegrate Southern states, protect civil rights, rebuild the economy

Question 4: What was the significance of the 13th Amendment?

Answer: It abolished slavery

Question 5: When did Reconstruction officially end?

Answer: 1877

Question 1: Source: 'The Freedmen's Bureau was established to assist newly freed slaves and impoverished Southerners.' What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau, and who was its primary target?

Answer: The purpose was to assist freed slaves and impoverished Southerners, primarily targeting African Americans and poor whites to help them integrate into free society and access resources.

Question 2: Evaluate the reliability of this source. What might be its purpose and audience?

Answer: The source likely aims to highlight the positive intentions of the Freedmen's Bureau; its reliability depends on its origin—if from government records, it may be accurate but potentially biased to favor Reconstruction efforts.

Question 3: How might this source reflect the goals of Reconstruction?

Answer: It reflects Reconstruction's goal of providing aid and rebuilding Southern society, emphasizing assistance to freed slaves and poor Southerners.

Question 1: Explain why the Radical Republicans pushed for harsh Reconstruction policies.

Answer: Radical Republicans pushed for harsh policies to protect the civil rights of freed slaves, ensure Southern states' loyalty, and prevent former Confederates from regaining power, aiming to reshape Southern society.

Question 2: Describe how the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, 15th) changed American society.

Answer: These amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship and equal protection under the law, and protected voting rights regardless of race, significantly advancing civil rights.

Question 3: Explain the reasons for the decline of Reconstruction in the late 1870s.

Answer: The decline was due to Southern resistance, the end of Federal support, the Compromise of 1877, and the rise of Black Codes and Jim Crow laws, which undermined civil rights progress.

Question 1: To what extent did Reconstruction achieve its goals of rebuilding the South and securing civil rights for freed slaves?

Answer: Reconstruction made significant strides, such as passing the Civil Rights Amendments and establishing institutions like the Freedmen's Bureau. However, its goals were only partially achieved due to persistent Southern resistance, the rise of Jim Crow laws, and the eventual withdrawal of federal support. Overall, while Reconstruction laid important foundations for civil rights, it failed to fully secure equality and lasting change in the South.