Reconstruction Era and its Legacy

Overview

• Reconstruction Period: Immediately follows the Civil War.
  • Effort to address changes in American life post-Civil War.
  • Key issues: Preservation of the Union and destruction of slavery.

Impact of Slavery's Destruction

• Status of 4 Million Emancipated Slaves: Central question of the era.
  • What role would these former slaves play in American society?
  • Would emancipated slaves have the same rights as white Americans?
  • What are the rights American citizens are supposed to enjoy?

Civil War Resolutions

• Future of Slavery: Decided by the Civil War.
  • Addressed the division between freedom and slavery.
  • Posed new questions about citizenship and rights.

Relevance Today

• Legacy of Reconstruction: Continues to affect modern society.
  • Era is often misunderstood or under-represented in historical education.
  • Continues to impact issues like immigration and citizenship.

Birthright Citizenship

• Definition: Citizenship granted to anyone born in the U.S.
  • Derived from post-Civil War constitutional changes.
  • Enshrined in the 14th Amendment.
• Comparison with Other Countries:
  • Unique to the U.S.; not common elsewhere (e.g., Germany).
  • Historical context: Before the Civil War, not all people born in the U.S. were citizens (slaves, free Negroes).

Immigration Context

• Current Issue: Undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
  • Estimate: 12 million undocumented immigrants.
  • Children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants are citizens.
• Historical Context: Part of the broader legacy of Civil War amendments and social changes.

Conclusion

• Reconstruction's legacy is significant and continues to influence debates over citizenship and rights in modern America.