First and Second Reconstruction - Essay Example

The First and Second Reconstructions had countless promise of correcting racial discriminations in America. The First Reconstruction arose as a result of chaos of the Civil War and it had goals of ensuring equality for Blacks in politics, voting and freedom to use public facilities. The Second Reconstruction arose due to the booming economy of the 1950s and it had its objectives of integration, to bring a n end to Jim Crow and a more crucial goal of making America a biracial democracy. They had a vison where son of former slaves and sons of slave holders would sit on the same table and share a meal. Both movements had high goals and expectations but despite their effort, they failed to fulfill their goals. They saw most of their hopes and gains washed away.

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Both movements failed to incorporate the economic justice for the Blacks. The First Reconstruction lasted until 1877 and it began after Civil War. The goals of the First Reconstruction were defined by the political, social and economic conditions after the Civil War. There were issues that grew out of the Civil War that divided the Congress politically some of which included; rebuilding the South which was in chaos, black equality and being decisive on who should control the Government. Therefore the comparison between the First and Second Reconstruction is accurate as the eras share same results.

In comparing and contrasting both periods, there are several factors that match while others vary. In 1896 during the First Reconstruction, Plessy vs. Ferguson involved a case where man was 7/8 white and 1/8 black. When requested to give up a seat on a bus, he denied because he was majority white. This was a court case where the ruling was separate but equal. Similarly in 1950, there was a case involving Brown vs. Board of Education. It involved a young girl who was denied equal education like whites just because she was black. After trying to enroll in an all-white school and case taken to court, the ruling was that schools would integrate. Therefore, both of the cases were taken to court because of racial discrimination in effort to safeguard the African American civil rights. Court settlements were used by the blacks as a strategy to curb discrimination.

In 1865, Black Codes were designed to limit the rights of Blacks. This involved regulation on types of jobs, prohibited voting, permitting public whippings as punishment, disregarded testifying against whites in court sessions and prohibited marriage between races. In 1889, Jim Crow Laws were recognized to impose the separate but equal facilities and laws for blacks and whites. There was separation in restrooms, waiting rooms, water fountains, dining areas and schools caused by these laws. Therefore these were a set of laws that underprivileged blacks of their rights and equality.

Reconstruction was a period of unparalleled political war and of far-reaching deviations in the nature of American government. In terms of government policies, new laws and constitutional amendments enduringly reformed the federal system and meaning of citizenship. In the South, politically organized black community came together with whites to bring the Republican Party to power. In conclusion, the major difference between the two eras is that first reconstruction was a deliberate government policy to punish the Confederate States for questioning the authority of federal government and asserting their constitutional rights. The second reconstruction prepared to acquire equivalent rights for all US voters.

ReferenceEgerton, D. R. (2015). The wars of Reconstruction: The brief, violent history of America's most progressive era.