Reconstruction is the historical term used to refer to the period between 1862 and 1877 in the history of America. During the reconstruction, the United States of America much endeavored in bringing some much needed order from the towering political, social, physical, economic and constitutional changes that were brought by the civil war and secession. Reconstruction included the efforts to the restoration of southern states to the union and redefining of the place and stake of African Americans in the American society. Though not put much and re-known in the history of the United States of America, the reconstruction is really the ‘real war’ to American redemption (Zuczek, 2006).

The war of reconstruction resulted from the decision of the eleven southern states to have secession and reject the national government especially the decision made by the then president, Abraham Lincoln, and the federal government to dent the secession attempt and impose the federal law agitated the southern states and marked the start of the reconstruction era. The reconstruction was more of a war for independence and freedom in which the British wanted to make as much money as they could from the southern colonies. This made the colonists protest against the British rule which made ‘one-way street’ laws and used power to benefit themselves while infringing the rights of the southern states, who were more of black Americans. The colonies were never afforded equality and freedom by the British government neither did they ever have any representation in the British parliament hence their protests against racial isolation, inequality and violence, which is the reconstruction war (Zuczek, 2006).

The southern states protested in demand for political and social equality through the end of slavery and slave trade, the expansion of the British government to include their representation and constitutional jurisdiction, social dynamism that supports social groups equally, northern industry and market explosion among other issues. However, though the reconstruction may have defined America’s history greatly, it is least studied and mentioned in the history of America. The civil war drama overshadows the reconstruction period which came right at its end. Reconstruction is not seen as important in comparison to the great, glorious, straightforward, and tangible years of civil war. Again, no one really expected or anticipated the intensity and viciousness of reconstruction. It caught the nation by surprise hence many assumed the war was just a short thing and reconciliation would come fast so no one was ready and responsible for its consequences. It is therefore not termed as much important and that’s why it is much assumed in the American history (Zuczek, 2006).

Reference

Richard Zuczek, (2006), Encyclopedia of the Reconstruction Era, Greenwood Press.