Economic Changes During the Reconstruction Era
The reconstruction era is the period between 1865 and 1877 in American history, subsequent to the American civil war, which happened from 1861 to 1865. Within the 12 years, many changes occurred: economic, political and social aspects were affected positively (Suryanarayan, 2021). This period was characterized by attempts to rectify the inequities of slavery and its political, social and economic legacy left by the American Civil War.
During the reconstruction, the north had a positive economic change and growth. This is because; the war was mostly fought in the South, leaving the North growing in both the agricultural and industrial sectors. Therefore, the south experienced improvement and growth during this era (Suryanarayan, 2021). The northerners, during this time, benefited from the opportunities created by the war. Reconstruction in the South was also a time of change. Many African Americans who had been enslaved were able to become free American citizens. They finally had the chance to rebuild their economy, which had been highly affected by war. However, this was hard because, due to that slavery, most families were rendered poor. Their children would also grow up in poverty and really struggle to make the change.
In addition, Southerners benefited from the reconstruction because education, manufacturing and land ownership expanded. Due to the implementation during and after the American civil war, an end to slavery was achieved (Suryanarayan, 2021). Institutions such as families, churches, schools and political parties played a major role during the African American transition to freedom. In this sense, they worked for hand in hand to build the new black community.
Role of Society and Politics in the Transition from Slavery
From the beginning of African slavery in North America, black people respected family and kinship. African American families acted as a basis for the growth of the black American culture, which assisted in building a bond; hence resistance to slavery and racism was strengthened (Suryanarayan, 2021). The black community cultivated the brotherhood idea, whereby slaves saw fellow slaves as brothers and sisters, although not related by blood. The family was an institution that cared and nurtured the future of Afro-Americans. They had each other’s backs.
The Church, during the transition from slavery, had a major role. The blacks created their own churches where they could worship without discrimination. They also provided jobs for the jobless and training programs for young people. Through the church, pastors pushed for equality for African Americans. The church was also a sign of hope at a time of despair for black people. It gave them solace and a home (Suryanarayan, 2021). During this time of transition, schools were also involved. While enslaved, African Americans were not allowed to receive an education. Freedom, therefore, meant that they could go to school and get educated. This was an important step towards civilization, independence and prosperity. They believed knowledge is power, and therefore they could conquer all the obstacles placed in their paths with enough knowledge.
The two main political parties: The Democratic Party and the Republican Party, also affected the transition from slavery both positively and negatively. For instance, the Republicans spoke against slavery and discrimination. The members of this party helped in the easement of the process of transition to freedom. They acted as a voice for the unheard and kept the fight against discrimination and racism alive (Suryanarayan, 2021). The African Americans were not yet free since they were denied some essential rights as citizens. By speaking out, the political parties pushed for several amendments for African Americans to be given their rights.
Causes and Consequences of the Indian Wars
The Indian wars were many wars that happened between 1636 and 1659, mainly caused by America’s desire for more land and resources. These wars were fought by European governments and Colonists in North America and later by the United States and American and Canadian countries. These wars included: The battle of Plessey, the French and Indian War, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Battle of Buxar, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Sino- the Indian War, among others. Indians, therefore, had to fight back (Suryanarayan, 2021). Native Americans were forced to leave their homes.
Due to these wars, Native Americans were negatively impacted. They lost land and the nations were left unstable both politically and economically. Like all wars, the economy of these nations was left crippled and led to a lot of poverty. Also, after the war, the Indian Tribes which sided with the British were retaliated against by the Americans (Suryanarayan, 2021). They ended up forming an enmity between the two parties. Since the Americans won and were their current rulers, it impacted negatively on their socio-economic well-being. Moreover, because the British won in the French and Indian War, it led to the expulsion of France from the New World. The British also grabbed all of what France possessed in the New World.
Significance of Reservation Policy and Dawes Severalty Act for Tribal Life
The Dawes Severalty act mainly focused on assimilating the Native Americans into mainstream United States society. It led to many acres of land being taken away from Native Americans and sold to the non-natives. It largely impacted American Indians because it ended their communal land ownership and property ownership in general (Suryanarayan, 2021). Unlike before this act, not every American Indian was assured of a home and land for farming. Land owned by Indians decreased from 138 million acres to 48 million acres. The Dawes Severalty act was, therefore, significant and successful because native land was sold to non-natives as intended.
The reservation policy also impacted the lives of the Native Americans. It was made to keep Native Americans off of lands that European Americans wanted to settle in. The federal government expected Native Americans to give up their land and become Christians and Farmers. It was significant for bringing Native Americans under US Government control, reducing conflict between Indians and encouraging them to emulate the whites. They were basically encouraged to leave their culture and pick up western cultures, such as religion and economic and social activities (Suryanarayan, 2021). They wanted them to convert to Christianity. As this cycle continued over and over again, the Indian Territory became smaller and smaller while the Americans needed more land. It, therefore, destroyed Indian culture and society and led to the loss of two-thirds of tribal land.
All in all, the reconstruction era worked in “re-gluing” back the United States as a unified nation. The divide was created between the North and the south during the war and due to slavery was reduced during this time. Rights stripped off African Americans were given back through the Thirteenth, fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Although not fully restored, it was a huge step towards the needed change. Giving the Southerners their basic human rights meant that they could now rebuild their economy to be as stable as the Northerners, whose economy was thriving mainly due to cheap and even free labor from the enslaved Southerners.
Reference
Suryanarayan, P., & White, S. (2021). Slavery, reconstruction, and bureaucratic capacity in the American south. American Political Science Review, 115(2), 568-584. Web.