Early Reconstruction

Definition

Early Reconstruction refers to the period immediately following the American Civil War, from 1865 to approximately 1870, when the federal government attempted to rebuild and reintegrate the Southern states that had seceded.

Related terms

Thirteenth Amendment: The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States.

Freedmen's Bureau: The Freedmen's Bureau was established by Congress in 1865 to provide assistance such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for newly freed African Americans.

Radical Republicans: Radical Republicans were members of Congress who advocated for more significant social and political reforms during Reconstruction. They pushed for equal rights for African Americans and harsher punishments for Confederate leaders.