What Was One of The Successes of The Reconstruction Era?

The Reconstruction Era (1863–1877) was a time of great change in the United States. One of the most significant outcomes of this period was the abolition of slavery, which had been permitted under the Constitution prior to 1865. The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified in 1865, officially abolishing slavery throughout the United States. Another significant outcome was the guarantee of equal protection under the law in the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868. This amendment provided legal protection to all citizens against discriminatory treatment by state and local governments. The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited federal and state governments from denying voting rights based on race or color. Civil rights laws passed during this time offered greater protections for African Americans than had previously existed. African Americans were elected to office with increasing frequency during this era, thus gaining an increased level of political participation during this time period. Reconstruction brought about many changes for African Americans. The era saw the development of schools, churches, and newspapers, and African American leaders such as Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington emerged. However, Reconstruction was not without challenges. Many whites opposed the changes taking place during this time; federal troops were eventually withdrawn from the South in 1877; despite these challenges Reconstruction brought significant progress for African Americans.