The Reconstruction: a tragic era? Some professional historians from the 1890s to the 1940s regarded Reconstruction as a "tragic era." Was it really a tragic era? Did it adequately fulfill its role in the rebuilding of the Nation? In many ways, it did do its job, such as the abolishment of slavery. But in many other ways, the Reconstruction failed. The real tragedy of this time period, however, was the racism, segregation, and prejudices toward the blacks. It not only affected blacks of that time period, but it also affected blacks for nearly a century to come.
             First of all, one must analyze the Reconstruction and look at the positive and negative aspects of it. The Reconstruction came to a very abrupt end, leaving much to be desired. Even though the Thirteenth Amendment was passed, abolishing slavery in all of the States, the Reconstruction ended without doing anything to protect the Blacks' rights; there was no progress in the fight for Civil Rights. The Reconstruction was also a time of economic depression. During this time period: hundreds of banks folded; 18,000 businesses closed their doors; factories closed; farmers fell deeper into debt. There was also commercial overexpansion and default on railroad bonds. As a result of all of this, the unemployment rate skyrocketed. About fifteen percent of the nation was unemployed. In fact, one quarter of New York City was unemployed. With this depression, the Gilded Age of the North came to an end. With the Election of 1876 and the Compromise of 1877, the Reconstruction also came to an end.
             Second of all, during Reconstruction, slaves gained their freedom. They, however, did not know what freedom meant. They weren't even treated like free men. Their boundaries were restricted by the white men. They could not gain economic, political, or cultural autonomy. The government, who freed the slaves, did nothing to help gain Civil Rights for ...