The+Females



**What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)**

We live in a, supposedly, united nation. This should mean that all states and people deserve equal treatment, with no discrimination towards any specific people. Of course, we don’t want any stir-ups between states, and this puts the United States government in a difficult position to maintain peaceful relations, and attempt to keep everyone happy. Our philosophy is, that if we let go of past frustrations with the south, they will move forward as well. The freed slaves should gain rights in progression; starting small and continuing towards larger freedoms. The ex-slaves should also be given the opportunity to work where they please (if they have the proper education), with the same amount of pay, equal working conditions, and fair treatment as that of a white man. With this solution, the north and south will both remain content.

What should be done to the ex-Confederates?

The North lost men. The South lost men. War is war. Throughout it all both the North and South sacrificed their soldiers, homes, towns, and farms. The war has now ended and we believe it would be true to say that both sides are exhausted. It is obvious that tension still lingers, but punishing the ex-confederates isn’t in any way, shape, or form a good idea.

The North may have won the war, but it doesn’t give them the right to become imperious. America is one nation; united. To strengthen the bond, some things should be forgone. Including castigations toward the ex-confederates. The war is over, why can’t we leave it at that? The South lost more troops and citizens compared to the North, Sherman’s March to the Sea devastated their homes, their economy is potentially destroyed, and to top it off the South ultimately lost the war. What more punishment could be required? Haven’t they suffered enough? The high road should be taken, and we should let the bitterness disperse behind us.

What should be done for the freedmen?

Though most (mainly the North) agreed there should be equality for all (especially blacks), the South’s loyalty to racism and slavery (due to their belief of white supremacy) smothered our ways of doing so. After all their labor, misery and alienation (mistreatment) from Southern folks, the freedmen deserve at least some rights, don’t they? Therefore, the freedmen (blacks) justify the same equal rights as the whites, however in a fairly slow progressive manner (to give time to the overwhelmed, defeated South, while trying not to advocate another war).

First off, the Black Codes shall not be viable in this Reconstruction plan; hence, it must be disobeyed and shall soon be considered an executed document. Then, no fines of injustice shall be allowed upon freedmen. Additional amendments pertaining freedom of speech, trial, security and safety, bear arms and property shall be granted to the freedmen, while brutally racist organizations, such as the Ku Klux Klan shall be tracked down and put to punishment, if found. Comfortably, the freedmen shall soon reach education and learn to obtain highly skilled jobs. No additional objectives will be given to the freedmen to obtain these jobs. They will equally earn the same as whites and learn to efficiently work together. With these rights and tactics in hand, the freedmen shall be allowed to vote, like any other white citizen would. Though these rights will take quite some time to process through society, especially in the minds of the Southerners, it shall be strictly followed.

Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?

With equality for all, comes voting for all. However, voting is only prohibited to ones whom apply to the following: must be at least age 18, a citizen of America, have education (high school diploma required) and confirmation of neutrality between races (black and white unity in case of a black delegate). To those who apply to the above, voting is finally open to all races, financial classes and even ex-confederates.

In the new Southern state governments, however, holdings for office is only accountable for those who apply to the same restrictions of voting (above), plus an additional experience of acquiring a job, a college education, citizenship of at least 7 years and no association or part of/with any types of racist organizations, such as previous Confederate leaders during/before the Civil War or the KKK. Some exceptions for ex-confederates leaders may be made with proof of neutrality and good deeds towards blacks (rarely will it occur). With these regulations, America will become a better improvement in yours, mine and our lives.

What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?

For a Confederate state to reenter the Union, they must ratify the 13th amendment to formally abolish slavery, and the 14th amendment which gives anyone of American birth the right to be a citizen. Since we are giving the freedmen their rights gradually, the 15th amendment wouldn’t be created right away. Instead states would have to agree to the development of the ex-slaves’ rights gradually over time. To ensure that the southern states follow through with these ratifications, Union officials would be sent to observe the states and ensure that they follow the laws that were ratified. The only Confederates who could represent their states in the federal government would be the ones who had never held a political position before the war. That way, prior opinions and prejudices would be avoided when implementing the new laws regarding the rights of African Americans.

How should the Southern economy be restored?

In the south, the freedmen will now be able to work for pay. They will be able to hold the same working positions as white men, and will earn the same salary. Slaves should not be able to work for men who previously owned them as slaves, so the new work will not be like being experiencing slavery all over again. The railroad system would be expanded to include the South. Providing this would allow transportation to reach more parts of the continent to help with imports, exports, and traveling. Although railroads would take a lot of time and expenses to build, the money it helps to earn and save will make up for it in the long run.The South would be provided with more ways to export their own goods. They will be able to sell crops that are grown and products that are made in the South. The improved railroad system would help transport these goods farther, in order to make more money. This will bring more income to individual Southern states, and help to get the economy back on its feet. Taxes will also have to become more formal and more regular to help uphold the emerging economy. Taxes would be an equal percent for everyone, based on income and economic status. Since there is a growing number of American citizens, the taxes would be able to amount to a greater portion of the nation's budget. Because the economy in the South was greatly impacted by the war--providing their troops and weapons, and having so much of the war fought on their territory--we would give them time dedicated to recovering and rebuilding. A few years would be set aside for this purpose, and the South would be given time to make up for what was damaged or lost during war.

What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South? The role that the Union troops must take responsibility of, is one that ensures the safety of everyone in the South, not just the white population. To make this vision a reality, the Union troops must act as a police force. Because of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, black people should be by law, guaranteed the same exact rights given to the white people. With this, comes safety. The police force will diminish most, if not all “secret” groups that violate the blacks’ rights. One could rebut and say, most of the groups that partake and support such disgusting acts are of authority in the south; well then those governors and political leaders will be removed. Their positions will be then filled with people from the Union, if the southerners are not willing to what is best for the United States of America. The police force will stop at nothing to ensure and protect all the rights of every citizen in the south, regardless of color. As mentioned before we will also attempt a secret service to ensure that white supremacy oppression will not continue. People from the Union will act as Southerners to make their way to political positions, and ease their way by propaganda into the minds of the south so that as a result the south will eventually treat blacks as they should be treated, equally. This is a drastic measure, I am aware, but it is a step that must be taken if necessary. This may cause controversy in that, the south may claim that they feel oppressed or suffocated, but everyone must make sacrifices in order to keep OUR country together in peace. If the south really doesn’t like how the Union troops plan on making our country more united, they will stay until EVERYONE in the south is treated with respect. **Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)**

For reconstruction to be successful, both the north and south need to be treated equally, neither superior to the other. The white southerners want a working labor force to profit from their plantations, and this is easily attainable if they follow certain guidelines and pay their workers, even if they are of color. In this instance, freed slaves get what they want, as well- pay for their hard work. African Americans deserve a proper education, and after receiving this, they would be able to work their way up in the quality and pay jobs. The north is happy; the south is happy; everybody wins.

CRITICISM OF THE NORTH You talk about how America is united, but after the war they were not United, the south was still separate from the Union. You say you want to put bitterness behind us, but with such history we cannot say that we will just but bitterness behind us. How can we be assured that the South will not try and rebel again? You give these plans about tracking down radical members such as the KKK, but how can you ensure that Freedmen are given free rights while taking the high road. If the Union becomes involved in the south to ensure civil rights, won’t this evoke more bitterness from the South toward the North? You also speak about equal rights for all, but given the history how can we be assured that these rights will be given. You speak about voting for all, but only for people who have a high school diploma. However, given that blacks were slaves and did not have the opportunity to go to school, isn’t that further taking away their suffrage? You also talk about not letting ex-confederates holding office, but in the previous paragraph you say that there should be no negative repercussions for ex-confederates Once again, you talk about military officials and governments going to the Southern states to make sure they follow the new amendments, but that does not agree with the first paragraph in which you talk about putting bitterness behind us, and not further interfering with the South. In the last paragraph you say that the military must be in the south to make sure they follow the 15th amendment, but previously you said that this amendment would not be enacted right away. How can the military enforce a law that has not yet been made?