a short history of reconstruction 1863 1877

They were not, as the Dunning school portrayed, “passive victims”, “unthinking” with animalistic characteristics, who, if freed, would threaten to destabilize the entire country (13). This plan allowed freedmen for the first time to have active economic roles and to become contributors in the reformed societal hierarchy. Moreover, this earthquake was created by the Radical Republican’s utopianlabor policy. He remarked, “like a massive earthquake, the Civil War and the destruction of slavery permanently altered the landscape of Southern life…no aspect of life emerged untouched from the conflict”(51,61). Second,Foner suggested Reconstruction was a radical revolution which abruptly accelerated social and economic changes, thus going from a slave culture to a free labor society destroying the South’s antebellum hierarchy and its enduring economic system.

Moreover, he proposed, the Dunning school of thought was still the prevalent mentality until the release of Foner’s book Peter Kolchin suggested the Dunning philosophy of Reconstruction was a “Tragic Era” led by “vindictive Yankees” along with “Radical Republicans” who were seeking to “humiliate the South”.

Foner stepped outside of the Dunning ranks and broke with its obtuse dogma, giving the black voice, the freedmen, center stage examining their experiences, aspirations, and thoughts, thus repositioning the established lens on the black experience during Reconstruction. First, he demeans the Dunning School of Analysis, explaining how the school’s doctrine tainted American history by focusing on Southern whites, making them the victims during Reconstruction, thus giving them the center stage, with little to no voice for the blacks. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics Kindle Edition, 2014.Įric Foner in his book, Reconstruction America’s Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877, discusses two very distinct themes. Reconstruction America’s Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877. This is one of two critical review for HIST 912 Comprehensive Examination and Readings in Modern America,įoner, Eric.

A short history of reconstruction 1863 1877