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 THE PROMISES

Reconstruction and Its Legacies

The United States emerged from the Civil War fundamentally changed.

For the first time, slavery did not legally exist within its borders. What this meant was the question before the nation.

Would four million newly freed people truly be free to determine their own lives?

Would the nation’s founding promises of liberty, equality, and justice be realized for all people, regardless of race?

These were the questions of Reconstruction.

They remain the challenges of today.

Why Reconstruction Matters

Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with wife and two daughters

Reconstruction—the period following the Civil War—was a revolutionary moment in the nation’s history. For the first time, African Americans were recognized by the U.S. government as equal citizens. But due to white resistance, Reconstruction’s promise of racial equality was not fulfilled. Instead of full citizenship rights, African Americans experienced decades of discrimination, segregation, and terrorism.

Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with wife and two daughters

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Reconstruction is often overlooked or misunderstood.

Many Americans do not know much about what happened in the years after the end of the Civil War. In the videos below, scholars Edward L. Ayers, Lonnie G. Bunch III, and Edna Greene Medford answer four key questions and reflect on why Reconstruction matters today.

What were the goals of Reconstruction?

Lonnie Bunch III explaining the goals of reconstruction against a black screen.

What is most important to know about Reconstruction?

Dr. Edward L. Ayers explaining What is most Important to know about Reconstruction against a background.

Why don’t most people know much about Reconstruction?

Doctor Edna Greene Medford, in the studio, discussing to the camera why most people don't know about Reconstruction.

Why does Reconstruction matter today?

Dr. Edwards L. Ayer explaining Why does Reconstruction matter today.

Reconstructing America: 1861–1896

The traditionally defined time frame for Reconstruction is 1865 to 1877. For this timeline, we take a broader view to see how the struggles over citizenship and national identity developed before, during, and beyond Reconstruction. We begin in 1861 with the arrival of formerly enslaved freedom seekers at Fort Monroe, Virginia, and end in 1896 with the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision, which made second-class citizenship for African Americans the norm for more than 50 years.

A lithograph print of the first black congressmen dressed in suits in the 41st and 42nd Congress.

Resources

Political cartoon of two white men pointing guns at a black man

Reconstruction NMAAHC Collections Search

The cover of the book has a Black family a father soldier, wife and two kids over the title of the book.

Make Good the Promises: Reclaiming Reconstruction and Its Legacies

This illustrated companion book to Make Good the Promises explores how Black Lives Matter, #SayHerName, antiracism and other current movements for repair find inspiration from the lessons of Reconstruction.

The website from the Freedman Burerau Search Portal, which has an image of a handwritten record

Freedmen’s Bureau Search Portal

Access millions of records documenting the names and lives of African Americans during Reconstruction.

The website of the report has the title Reconstruction in America against a black background, above photo of a statue.

Explore all related resources

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