African-Americans in the South were afraid that any kind of relationship they would form with their former masters would lead to something resembling their enslavement (United States. Congress. Joint Committee on Reconstruction, William Pitt Fessenden, Thaddeus Stevens, United States. Congress). It was clear that it would take long before African-Americans would actually come to become equal citizens. While the North was initially actively engaged in helping the African-American community in

However, they "were too few in number to provide adequate protection and were not always themselves fully committed to ensuring justice for freed blacks" (Cary Royce 67). The American public wanted reform to happen but few people were actually willing to risk their position in society by supporting black people. As a consequence, former slaves were provided with little support and were practically forced to maintain many of their

The slaveholder was the "father" who needed to take care of his slaves spiritual and material needs, and to protect him or her. Early in the nineteenth century, slaveholders began to view their slaves as property that needed protecting. Conditions improved slightly and slaves were given better food, clothing and housing. This was not done out of kindness, but because of a need to protect their property. Eventually laws were

Kennedy. The American Spirit. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. English Working Classes Cheer." (1863) Bailey, Thomas Andrew & David M. Kennedy. The American Spirit. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Slave is taken to Barbados," (1750). Bailey, Thomas Andrew & David M. Kennedy. The American Spirit. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. South Carolina Threatens Secession (1832) Bailey, Thomas Andrew & David M. Kennedy. The American Spirit. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Stowe, Harriet Beecher.

In a democratic society, however, the responsibility for making governmental decisions is transferred to the citizenry and it is incumbent that the citizenry be provided with at least a rudimentary education so that they are in position to make such decisions. Although the original U.S. Constitution did not initially grant women the right to vote and otherwise participate in the government, women were afforded, on a limited basis, to

Because of the loss of so many men during this war, the country suffered economically. With the abolishment of slavery, the south's economics suffered tremendously. Blacks could no longer be force to work the cotton and agricultural fields for free and many migrated north for better opportunities. This left the south with limited economic opportunities as they were not quick to become industrialized like the north was. Many immigrants settle