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Was Reconstruction Intelligent Failure?

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Was Reconstruction Intelligent Failure?
Reconstruction
Rebecca Howard
University of Phoenix

#1 I found that I had mixed feelings as to if the Reconstruction was a splendid failure or not so I did some research. The Reconstruction is surrounded by controversy. Eric Froner asserts that the Reconstruction did not achieve the radical goals that were hoped for but the Reconstruction did offer African Americans in the south a vison of a free society even if only temporarily. Historians have categorized the Reconstruction as a total failure and that failure proved to be detrimental to both blacks and whites. Both Northern and Southern historians wrote about the Reconstruction and were fascinated by it for two reasons, the first being that they believed that the south was …show more content…
The Reconstruction gave African Americans a glimpse of how society could look if it were free. If I were in that situation I would have rather had a thought that one day I would be free rather than not have the thought at all. I understand why some people would be upset about that though because they felt like they were getting false promises. For this reason I believe that yes it was a splendid failure. Many people have said that there was nothing splendid about the Reconstruction and that is true to some extent. Andrew Johnson showed poor leadership which made people very upset and a lot of people’s views eventually change. In addition to poor leadership racism and distrust were also a problem but those are not the only things that can be focused on. The fact that there was an attempt made to help the African Americans, is wonderful and took a lot of courage. The long term implications of the Reconstruction and splendid failure include the fact that blacks were seen as less than everyone else and they were dehumanized. I believe that is why people are …show more content…
Black voters were attracted to what Watson was bringing into the movement because he promised to respect their civil and political rights. Watson organized a lot of gatherings for the blacks including political clubs and picnics. Watson said “You are made to hate each other because on that hatred is rested the keystone of the arch of financial despotism which enslaves you both”. Watson said this when he spoke of blacks and whites who both cheered him on. Watson served in the House of Representatives in 1882 as well as in the United States House of Representatives from 1890 to 1892. Watson was unsuccessful in running for vice president as the running mate for William Jennings Bryan in 189 and for president both in 1904 and 1908. Watson wrote a novel titled Bethany in 1904 that was praised. Watson was very influential by the publications that he wrote including Peoples Party Paper (1891-1898) and The Jeffersonian (1907-1917). Watson was unsuccessful in political campaigns. Watson was a lawyer but he was drawn to politics. Watson was elected to state legislature and realized that he need the support of the blacks to win. Watson supported taxes to support public education, the states convict lease system and the needs of sharecroppers as well as poor farmers who were black or white. Watson was not in legislation for long, he chose to resign his seat before it had even reached the end of the session.
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