Civil War Essays -- essays research papers

After the Civil War ended in 1865, the south was in total ruins. Houses were destroyed, crops were gone, and lives would never be the same again. It wouldn’t be until years after the war that people would get their lives back on track. Whites in the south now hated the blacks and still think they are inferior.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The process of rebuilding that followed the American Civil War was known as reconstruction. The war left a set of pressing questions concerning with what to do with the South. These questions involved the relationship with the former Confederate states and the Union; the type of punishment that should be imposed on the ones responsible for the rebellion; the status of the freed slaves and how to restore the South’s economy. President Lincoln, President Johnson and the Radical Republicans each had their own plans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lincoln started thinking about reconstruction as early as 1863. He wanted for 10 percent of the voters in each southern state to take an oath of loyalty to the United States. After this the state could form its own government. The government had to abolish slavery. After this was done the government could elect congressmen and participate in national politics. His plan was known to be lenient; many had opposed it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unfortunately President Lincoln did not live to carry out all of his plans. A Democrat was elected into office and took over. The new president was Andrew John...