Historians used to characterize Reconstruction as a failure. Now historians sometimes use the terms unfinished revolution or a half-finished revolution.Which term do you think most accurately describes Reconstruction in terms of what the North attempted to accomplish in Southern society, and its results?

Part 1 Directions: You need to answer all parts of the question below. You must explain examples fully (as though to someone unfamiliar with the topic). The essay must be written in full sentences and paragraphs.

Question #1 (1st Paragraph): Describe three revolutionary measures put into place during Reconstruction and explain why they failed.

Question #2 (2nd Paragraph): Historians used to characterize Reconstruction as a “failure.” Now historians sometimes use the terms “unfinished revolution” or a “half-finished revolution.” Which term do you think most accurately describes Reconstruction in terms of what the North attempted to accomplish in Southern society, and its results?

Part 2 Directions: Analyze both of the quotes below – describe in 2 to 3 sentences what the quote means in your own words and what it tells us about the time period.

From “Klan Violence,” Elias Hill

“They said, ‘Look here! Will you put a card in the paper next week like June Moore and Sol Hill?’ They had been prevailed on to put a card in the paper to renounce all republicanism and never vote.”

From “Excerpts from The School Days of an Indian Girl–by Zitkala-Sa”

“I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit. Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities. People had stared at me. I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my long hair was shingled like a coward’s!”

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