The Reconstruction Period: Success Or Failure?

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The Reconstruction period, which lasted from 1865-1867, was a trying time for the United States. It seemed like President Lincoln’s prior attempts to unite the nation had been in vain; following the announcement of his Reconstruction plan in 1863, he was unable to impose effective change. Lincoln’s formula ended in failure because of his inability to satisfy the Republicans in government, and the reluctance of most southern states to admit loyalty to the Union. Following his death in 1865, there was still no clear answer as to how the United States should proceed with Reconstruction. Even though the war had ended, the divide between the North and the South was stronger than ever. The debate on how to deal with the newly-freed 3.9 million Blacks