During both the civil war and civil war reconstruction time periods,
             there were many changes going on in the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation,
             as well as legislation such as the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
             amendments, was causing a new awakening of democracy; while the renouncing of
             secession by the South marked a definite triumph for Nationalism. As well, the
             government was involved in altercations of its own. During reconstruction, the
             legislative and executive branches eventually came to blows over the use of
             power. The nation was being altered by forces which caused, and later repaired,
             The first of these "forces" was the expansion of democracy. As early
             as 1862, Lincoln was taking a major step in that direction. On September 22,
             Lincoln announced the freeing of all slaves in areas not in Union control.
             Although the proclamation did not free all slaves everywhere, it was the action
             that would push Congress to pass the thirteenth amendment in 1865. The
             amendment, ratified later in 1865, stated that "Neither slavery nor involuntary
             servitude . . . shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to
             their jurisdiction." It seemed democracy had triumphed by giving freedom to
             slaves, but the amendment was not complete. It only stopped slavery, and made
             no provisions for citizenship; therefore, blacks were still not considered
             United States citizens. The fourteenth amendment was the democratic expansion
             that fixed that problem. Originally passed to "put a number of matters beyond
             the control or discretion of the president," the amendment also made "All
             persons born or naturalized in the United States . . . citizens of the United
             States." It also provided that, "No State shall abridge the privileges or
             immunities of citizens of the United States." This not only gave new meaning to
             black men's freedom, but it also gave a new and broad...