Question

How did the Federal government’s attempt at reconstructing the South embitter Southerners and exacerbate racial tension?

Answer 1

After the Civil war between northern and southern United States of America was over, the federal government saw the need of reconstruction of the government in the southern areas. The reconstruction phase (1865-1877) came up with its own challenges. The society got divided into Radical Republicans, who were mostly Northerners and Conservative Democrats that were the Southerners.

The Radical Republicans wanted to establish new rules and regulations in the politics. They also believed that the blacks should be given the right to vote. On the other hand, the Conservative Democrats wanted no interference of the federal government and they wanted it to step out of their region. The Conservative Democrats wanted that the southern region should rebuild itself and not according to the reconstruction rules proposed by the federal government.

Amidst these conflicts in perspectives, in the year 1866 the Radical Republicans won the elections and started introducing their set of rules. The Radical Republicans established a Freedmen's Bureau which offered food, clothing and essentials to the former slaves. This led to difference between the Radical Republicans and Conservative Democrats.  

The 13th, 14th and 15th amendments were passed during the Reconstruction phase. These amendments were passed as an attempt to bring equality in the society and most importantly to the blacks. These amendments provided rights to vote, political power and the rights that were formerly unavailable to the blacks.

The introduction of these amendments led to sadistic tortures and violence by the Southern Whites. This racial tension aimed towards restricting the blacks from becoming independent and free socially as well as economically. These intimidations and violence prevented these black citizens from getting what they deserved and be educated. The new freedom of the Southern blacks was taken away.

In the year 1877, the federal government withdrew itself from the south due to the corruption, expenses and protests going on across the region. After the withdrawal of the federal government, the rights to vote were taken away and the blacks were not treated equally.