The Civil War's aftermath brought significant changes to American society, particularly through Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction policy and subsequent reforms. The period was marked by political tension, civil rights legislation, and the ongoing struggle for Black Americans' rights.
- Reconstruction began under President Johnson with a lenient approach toward former Confederates
- The Impact of the 14th Amendment in 1868 established citizenship rights and equal protection under law
- Role of Black abolitionists in antebellum America was crucial, with figures like Frederick Douglass leading the movement
- Congressional Reconstruction superseded Johnson's policies after his impeachment
- The period concluded with the Compromise of 1877, leaving many reforms incomplete