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'''Reconstruction''' was the attempt from 1863 to 1877 in American history to resolve the issues of the [[American Civil War]], when both the Confederacy and slavery were destroyed and the Constitution was exapanded by three amendments that strengthened the rights of citizens. Reconstruction addressed the return of the Southern states that had seceded, the status of ex-Confederate leaders, and the Constitutional and legal status of the African-American Freedmen (newly freed ex-slaves). Violent controversy arose over how to accomplish those tasks, and by the mid 1870s Reconstruction had failed to equally integrate the Freedmen into the legal, political, economic and social system.  

'''Reconstruction''' was the attempt from 1863 to 1877 in American history to resolve the issues of the [[American Civil War]], when both the Confederacy and slavery were destroyed and the Constitution was expanded by three amendments that strengthened the rights of citizens. Reconstruction addressed the return of the Southern states that had seceded, the status of ex-Confederate leaders, and the Constitutional and legal status of the African-American Freedmen (newly freed ex-slaves). Violent controversy arose over how to accomplish those tasks, and by the mid 1870s Reconstruction had failed to equally integrate the Freedmen into the legal, political, economic and social system.  

"Reconstruction" is also the common textbook name for the entire national history during 1865 to 1877.  

"Reconstruction" is also the common textbook name for the entire national history during 1865 to 1877.  

[[File:Recon-map.jpg|thumb|410px|Radical reconstruction: Army districts repla ced state government, 1867-68]]

[[File:Recon-map.jpg|thumb|410px|Radical reconstruction: Army districts replaced state government, 1867-68]]

Reconstruction came in three phases. '''Presidential Reconstruction 1863-66''' was controlled by Presidents [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Andrew Johnson]], with the goal of speedily reuniting the country. Their moderate programs were opposed by the [[Radical Republicans]], a political faction that gained power after the 1866 elections and began '''Radical Reconstruction, 1866-1873''' emphasizing civil rights and voting rights for the Freedmen. A Republican coalition of Freedmen, [[Carpetbagger]]s and [[Scalawag]]s controlled most of the southern states. In the so-called '''Redemption, 1873-77''', white supremacist Southerners (calling themselves "[[Redeemers]]") defeated the Republicans and took control of each southern state, marking the end of Reconstruction.   

Reconstruction came in three phases. '''Presidential Reconstruction 1863-66''' was controlled by Presidents [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Andrew Johnson]], with the goal of speedily reuniting the country. Their moderate programs were opposed by the [[Radical Republicans]], a political faction that gained power after the 1866 elections and began '''Radical Reconstruction, 1866-1873''' emphasizing civil rights and voting rights for the Freedmen. A Republican coalition of Freedmen, [[Carpetbagger]]s and [[Scalawag]]s controlled most of the southern states. In the so-called '''Redemption, 1873-77''', white supremacist Southerners (calling themselves "[[Redeemers]]") defeated the Republicans and took control of each southern state, marking the end of Reconstruction.