What is the assignment?

• Summarize the successes and failures of Reconstruction, and evaluate the overall effectiveness of Reconstruction efforts. *Consider the historical impact of the political struggles over Reconstruction plans and the Reconstruction Acts passed by Congress. *Also explain the resistance to Reconstruction and the effect of the 1877 Compromise.

What are the requirements of this assignment?

• A multi-paragraph essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion
• Approximately two pages

How do I complete the assignment?

• Before you begin writing your essay, organize your information by making a list of the different aspects of Reconstruction, such as the plans, legislation, and resistance.
• Ask yourself what aspects of Reconstruction were successful, and what aspects were failures, and consider what might have contributed to the success or failure of those parts of Reconstruction.
• Write a brief statement about each part of Reconstruction that you want to cover in the essay.

Once you have written your initial thoughts, make a plan for your essay. The following questions can be used as a guide for each section of your essay: Introduction

• What was the condition of the South after the Civil War?
• Why was Reconstruction necessary?

Body paragraphs

• What aspects of the reconstruction did you think were successful?
• What aspects were failures?

Conclusion

• Were the reconstruction efforts overall a success or failure?
• What would you have done to make Reconstruction more effective?