After the Civil War, rebuilding the ruined South was a tremendous job. Just as troubling was the task of bringing the former confederate states back into the Union. Should southerners who had fought against the United States government be welcomed back or treated harshly? How could the nation protect the newly won rights of freed African Americans?

During a period called Reconstruction, North and South slowly reunited. At the same time, the economy of the South slowly recovered, and African Americans in the South gained several important rights and freedoms. However, in the years following Reconstruction, many of these rights were lost.

Additional Activities

• "Why Study History?" Activity: Have students use the Internet to research methods to promote tolerance. (See Teacher's Edition, page 494.)
  
  
• Check out the Student Internet Activities, which focus on the effects of the Reconstruction Era and Thaddeus Stevens.
  
  

Section 1: First Steps to Reunion

Section 2: Radical Reconstruction

Section 3: Changes in the South

Section 4: Reconstruction Ends