(Insert Institute)
(Insert Course)
(Insert Date of Submission)
Essay Answers
- The Reconstruction Period
The American Civil War (1861-1865) served as a revolution to the economical, social, and political structures in the country. Consequently, the years that followed the Civil War are referred to as the reconstruction period as both Northern and Southern states sought to rebuild their lives. The plan for reconstruction was developed by President Lincoln Abraham before the end of the Civil War (Ladenburg 8). The first aim of the plan was to, “bind the nation’s wounds” (Ladenburg 8) after the rift that had developed prior the war. For instance, the Southern states had established the confederate state that parted from that of the union. Lincoln’s idea was to rejoin all of the American States under one government. Another aim found basis in the abolition of slavery as Lincoln urged Americans to, “achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace” (Ladenburg 8) This was in relation to the abolition of slavery as backs were now free American citizens.
The first step in Lincoln’s aim for reconstruction was taken in 1865 with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment (Ladenburg 10). This led to the freedom of slaves and was the base of the Freedmen’s bureau. The latter was drafted in a bid to help the southern states revive themselves after the devastation of war. For instance, the bureau dictated the feeding of both races while ensuring that blacks gained formal education so they can apply for work alongside their white counterparts. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Ladenburg 17) was the last step taken as it dictated that all persons born within the borders of the United States of America were automatic citizens. The success of the reconstruction was probably the attempts made towards helping African Americans adjust to life as free citizens while ensuring the white citizens were also catered for in terms of food provisions and restructuring of their destroyed homes (Ladenburg 10).
On the other hand, upon the assassination of Lincoln in 1865 and the presidency of Johnson Andrew the reconstruction was challenged by the white population and to some extent the Congress (Ladenburg 21). The freedom of ex-slaves was limited as conditions were given towards the exercise of citizenship. For instance, no black person was allowed to take part in civil acts such as voting and serving in juries. On the other hand, Johnson’s ideologies differed with those of the Radical Republicans and in turn led to divisions in the House of Congress. The Northern States were at this time occupied with means of rebuilding their economies and so most of the events taking place in the south were ignored.
With the development of factories and industries, the northern states sough to train competent workers for the factories and these included the blacks. It was therefore expected that the southerners managed to pass The Compromise of 1877 that saw an end to the reconstruction period as the south was allowed to pass racist laws against the blacks. It can be argued that upon the abolition of slavery, the north managed to gain what they wanted from the war, which was to cripple the southerner’s economy while ensuring their own economy gained the necessary labor. Therefore, whatever happened to the ex-slaves was of no importance to the northern forces as evidenced by the lack of participation of the north in the reconstruction process.
Work Cited
Ladenburg, Thomas. "Reconstruction after the Civil War." Digital History (2007): 1-38. Print.
- World War I
Reasons for the World War I find their basis in the alliance system that existed between the super powers and other countries in the war. Sagan notes that the war was the result of Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war towards Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand (162). Russia was an ally to the Serbian government and so rose to defend the latter. At the same time Germany, this was in alliance with Austria-Hungary, rallied its forces to fight the Russian troops (Duiker and Spielvogel 673). To get to Russia, the German forces marched through France and Belgium therefore leading to the French joining the war. Great Britain also joined at this point based on German’s trespass in Belgium, a country that was neutral territory (Duiker and Spielvogel 673). After this, more countries joined because of existing alliances while others with the determination of protecting their borders.
The United States had maintained neutrality as they supplied provisions and arms to both sides of the war (Duiker and Spielvogel 672). However, the Germans employed the Atlantic warfare in a bid to break Britain’s defenses with the use of submarines. This led to the interference with the United States’ trades as merchant ships sunk from the aggressive German forces. A good example is the Lusitania that was sunk in 1915 (Hamilton and Herwig 432). This led to the United States joining the war against the German forces as the Americans were determined to protect their economies.
In the Paris Peace Conference, Wilson Woodrow laid his plans for peace between the two sides that took part in the Great War. This was done with the fourteen points speech that solely aimed at ensuring the super powers never engaged in war again. The fourteen points called for an end in secret alliances and for every country to call back their men from the invaded areas such as the presence of German troops in France (Duiker and Spielvogel 675). In addition, countries were to be allowed to practice self-governance with the League of Nation, a body of states, monitoring the emerging governments (Duiker and Spielvogel 675). Wilson managed to bring temporary peace among the countries as each tried to meet the set goals. It can also be argued that the birth of the League of Nations helped maintain the peace Wilson urged. Wilson’s success came to an abrupt end upon the start of World War II after Germany rose against the other super powers that had imposed fines and limited Germany’s ability to defend itself. Under the command of Adolf Hitler Germany began the Second World War in 1939 (Duiker and Spielvogel 679).
Works Cited
Duiker, William, & Spielvogel, Jackson. World History / Edition 7. Connecticut: Cengage Learning, 2012.
Hamilton, Richard, & Herwig, Holger. The Origins of World War I. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Sagan, Scott. "1914 Revisited: Allies, Offense and Instability." International Security, Vol.11, No. 2 (1986): 151-175.
