A closer look at the scene of reconstruction era

During reconstruction period immediately following the Civil War, African Americans struggled to become equal citizens of a democratic republic.

Debate over how far the government would go to secure freedom and civil rights for 4 mil former slaves, this led to a political crisis. Advocates of a minimal Reconstruction policy favored quick restoration of the Union with no protection for the freed slaves beyond prohibition of slavery.

Proponents of a more radical policy wanted readm...