Reconstruction (1865–1877)

History SparkNotes

Get this SparkNote to go!

Study Questions & Essay Topics

Always use specific historical examples to support your arguments.

Study Questions

1. In what ways was Reconstruction a success? A failure? Explain.


2. Some historians have suggested that had Lincoln not been assassinated, Radical Republicans in the House might have impeached him instead of Andrew Johnson. Defend this argument.


3. Explain how three of the following shaped northern politics during Reconstruction: a) black codes b) the Depression of 1873 c) Crédit Mobilier d) the “Swing Around the Circle” speeches e) the Resumption Act of 1875


Suggested Essay Topics

1. Compare and contrast Lincoln’s plans for Reconstruction, Presidential Reconstruction, and Radical Reconstruction.

2. What effect did Reconstruction have on blacks? Were they better off after Reconstruction than they were before the Civil War?

3. Was the impeachment of President Johnson justified? Why or why not? What were the consequences of his acquittal in the Senate?

4. What effect did the Compromise of 1877 have on politics in the North and South?

More Help

Buy the ebook of this SparkNote on BN.com

Easy to view on your iPod, phone, or ereader.

EVEN MORE HELP! ↓

Take a Study Break

SparkLife

Star Trek gets SEXY

Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana heat up the red carpet!

SparkLife

Are you afraid of relationships?

Auntie SparkNotes can help!

SparkLife

Wanna get JLaw's gorgeous glow?

Click here for simple, sexy makeup tricks!

SparkLife

Sexy starlet style

See every single look from the Met Gala!

SparkLife

Who'd be on your zombie-apocalypse crew?

We already dib'sed Genghis Khan.

Geek out!

The MindHut

Geeky Actresses: Then and Now

Before the fame!

The MindHut

9 Scientific Inaccuracies in Iron Man 3

Click to see what they got wrong.

The MindHut

Top 10 Predictions Sci-Fi Got WRONG

So wrong, they're WRONG.

The MindHut

The 15 Most Awesome Robots, Ever

These Robots Rock!

The MindHut

If You Like Game of Thrones...

...Then you'll LOVE these books!

The Book

Cover image

Read What You Love, Anywhere You Like

Get Our FREE NOOK Reading Apps