The post-Civil War era refers to the period immediately following the American Civil War (1861-1865). It encompasses Reconstruction (1865-1877) when efforts were made to rebuild Southern states after their secession from the Union.
Related terms
Emancipation Proclamation: An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 which declared all slaves in Confederate territory free. It played a significant role in shaping post-Civil War America.
Freedmen's Bureau: Established by Congress in 1865 during Reconstruction, it provided assistance such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to formerly enslaved African Americans and poor whites.
Reconstruction Amendments: A series of amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) to the U.S Constitution that were ratified during the post-Civil War era. These amendments abolished slavery, granted equal protection under the law, and secured voting rights for African American men.