The+Reconstruction+Workers

Reconstruction is not an easy or simplistic task, and therefore there can not be one answer or focus. The Civil War, although it was fought to ultimately keep things together, couldn’t do so without breaking some things apart, and now it is time for those things to be fixed so we can progress as one into the future we fought for. Civil rights must be addressed for the newly freedmen in the South. Punishment must be bestowed upon the ex-Confederates. However, the primary goal of the Reconstruction efforts we are commencing is reunification of theUnited Statesin as many areas as possible to ensure a catastrophe such as the one just overcome does not happen again.


 * There is no question as to whether or not blacks should be allowed to vote. As citizens of the United States liberated blacks should've allowed to vote without any interference on the Souths behalf, such as the passage of laws that can inhibit any black from voting. That being said all males who are able to, should without a doubt be protected so that they can vote. However not all citizens are necessarily fit or even advisable to run for office. The south for all its supposed gallantry and upholding of old ways will without a doubt do everything in its power to disenfranchise any black attempting to run for office. Such strong hatred for the advancement of the black race can only be curbed by the slight yet mislead satisfaction of victory. It is in the black who is attempting to run for office best interest if they should be prevented from holding office on the South's newly established democracies. Such a high position established upon a person(s) belonging to an "inferior" race would only cause fear, hatred, and violence from the Confederates. This step is only temporary, Back citizens must be established in Southern society as free men before they be entrusted with the burden of office least the white man can and will brutally punish any black in such a position. The duration of five years is perhaps best time span to prevent the free black from holding office, at least until former slave owners who lost the majority of their capital and investment in slaves in the war. Let the conflict pass and let the wounds be healed even incompletely before blacks should be allowed to run for and hold office. ||

In order for the seceding states to be readmitted into the union they must, first and foremost, ratify the 13th,14th, 15th amendments of the constitution. Without such an action being taken the Union has the right to deny representatives from these states access to Congress and vote in the Senate if they fail/refuse to ratify said amendments. Also in accordance with the newly ratified amendments, any state wishing to be reinstated into the union must pass the “Prevention of Violation of Civil Rights” law, which specifically states that states cannot strip the general rights of black citizens, the first and most important of these being the right to vote, through the passage of other laws which would deny these citizens the right to the vote. Though Abraham Lincoln once argued that the states had not been able to legally secede from the Union, the ex-confederate states still committed the act of treason by essentially beginning the war through refusal at some form of compromise and attempting to secede. As such these states should, for some time be restricted from being able to participate completely in Congress. At least until a third of the population has taken an oath to protect the Union the the state governments agree to sign the "proclamation of unification" document which legally binds any state to the Union and is essentially a document that binds said state from ever attempting to secede from the Union. Only then when the treasonous states have agreed and carried out the above demand will Congress seat them. The South suffered great afflictions to its economy during the war. Let us not forget the times before the great battle, when the South was flourishing in its productivity which sustained a prosperous economy. Yes, then there were slaves. And they shall not be readmitted by any means, but nor is that needed to regain such richness! The production of cotton and tobacco will be reinstated and supported by money given to re-plow and sow the fields destroyed by the war. Once in sufficient production, the South can restart trade with both the North, who will support them, and Britain, who will use the raw materials to build what we can purchase back to start the cycle of trade which will thrust the reunited United States into a world power. Money will also be funded to build highways and railroads to further promote the exchange that will not only rebuild the South’s economy but benefit America as a whole.

The American troops, also formerly known as the Union Troops, will be focusing their efforts upon ensuring a safe and speedy transition of Reconstruction, and uplifting the idea of equality between different racial backgrounds. The troops will be pursuing the increasingly frequent attacks from lucrative rebellion forces. To aid reduction in these oppressive forces, American Troops will be overseeing a mandatory curfew, for freedmen & white alike. In addition, the soldiers will be enforcing the “All Men Created Equal” clause of the Declaration of Independence. Any hate crimes against “All Men Are Created Equal” will be met with a fine. The American troops will be enforcing the reinstatement policy that all Confederate states must fulfill to be a United State. Troops may also be stationed at voting booths for freedmen, and will ensure that all men, regardless of race, may vote. Former Southern Troops may join the American army if they wish, but must abide by the mission and orders of his superiors and the rest of the American army. The American army’s sole intention is to ensure a speedy and lasting Reconstruction that leaves the nation better unified than before the Civil War.

With an ultimate goal of unity, Ex Confederates shouldn’t be treated too harshly while maintaining structure and consequences. The first question is whether or not they should be punished for committing treason; the answer is no. Doing so would only add to the south’s bitterness and wouldn’t achieve anything. Taxes should also be taken into consideration. In result to the south’s recent economic devastation, the raise of their taxes to an equal amount as the north should be postponed five years. This should provide a sufficient amount of time to become financially secure enough to pay equal tax rates with the rest of the country. Since our second focus is Civil Rights, it is important to instill consequences for the expected violence that will occur against the colored. Racial assault will not be tolerated, and if seen, will be stopped by the Federal Army. This means that Ex Confederates will be monitored for the sake of people’s safety.

We must support Civil Rights while keeping the country together. In order to achieve this, racial segregation must exist at least for now. This way, racists can coexist with freedmen without feeling the need to act violently towards them for a sense of separation. The right to protest segregation is allowed. Colored people will have the rights to vote, testify in court, and earn an education. There will be Ex Confederates that will seek to harm freedmen. Therefore, in attempt to provide more protection than just being watched over, a curfew for everyone in southern territory to be at home or indoors by 7:30 PM will be enforced by the Federal Army.

To be a Unified Nation once again, all people of the United States of America must do their part to continue Reconstruction. It will not be easy and it will not happen all at once, but America can and will be rebuilt. The blood that was spilled in the Civil War will not be in vain, and America will not fall into war against itself again. America won its independence with much loss and effort, and we will show our forefathers that it was not meaningless. We will not be the united States, but rather The United States, one nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.