Digital History
Digital History: The Ending of Reconstruction
In the 1870's, violent opposition in the South and the North's retreat from its commitment to equality, resulted in the end of Reconstruction. By 1876, the nation was prepared to abandon its commitment to equality for all citizens...
Mount Holyoke College
Mt. Holyoke: Reconstruction Timeline
Here's a concise timeline that highlights the important facets of reconstruction from the announcement of Abraham Lincoln's reconstruction plans to the end of reconstruction at the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Collapse of Reconstruction
This section from a chapter on "The Era of Reconstruction" explains the reasons for the collapse of Reconstruction and describes the efforts of white southern "redeemers" to roll back the gains of Reconstruction.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Rutherford Birchard Hayes: Domestic Affairs
An in-depth analysis of the domestic policies and problems that Rutherford B. Hayes faced as president. Read about the end of Reconstruction, Hayes' economic policy, his troubles with a Democratic majority in the Congress, and his...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of the u.s. What Is Freedom? Webisode 7
Webisode 7 - What is Freedom? ..The history of the United States is presented in a series of webisodes, within each are a number of segments.Included are links to lesson plans, teacher guides, resources, activities, and tools.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Homestead National Monument: Exodusters
Read about the reasons for the extensive black migration to Kansas, especially in the 1870s. These emigrants were called Exodusters. From the National Park Service.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Reconstruction
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each text is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Documenting Brown: The Fourteenth Amendment
The background essay provided in this lesson plan on the later ramifications of the 14th Amendment explains the Congressional legislation of all types during Reconstruction. Click on the 'View' button to read the Amendment.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 5: A New Order
This extensive learning module examines the impact of the Gilded Age upon new cultural and intellectual movements, expansion of foreign trade, and political debates over economic and social policies, as well as the impact of the rise of...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Wall Street Speech, the Gilded and the Gritty: America, 1870 1912
A "bloody shirt" speech from Robert Ingersoll that emphasizes the virtue of Republican candidates and attacks Democrats as traitors during the Civil War.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: "With Malice Toward None"
A four-page discussion of Reconstruction from the plans Lincoln made while the Civil War was still raging to the end of Reconstruction with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Opposing Views on Reconstruction
A look at how Andrew Johnson tried to carry out Lincoln's plan for reconstruction. Read onto the second page to find out how the congressional plan thwarted Johnson and was much more punitive.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: The End of Reconstruction
The end of Reconstruction brought about the end of military occupation in the South, but ushered in discriminatory practices against the newly freed black population. Read about why that happened and the future consequences.
Digital History
Digital History: The Red Shirt Election in South Carolina [Pdf]
Opposition to Congressional Reconstruction was strong in South Carolina. Read about how this opposition was carried out and how it affected the newly freed African Americans in state elections in South Carolina. The national election of...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The End of Reconstruction
Overview of the gains, corruption and ongoing conflict in the South during the later stages of Reconstruction.
Other
Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Redeemers (Post Reconstruction)
Read about the so-called Redeemers, whose actions returned the Democratic Party to power in the southern states at the end of Reconstruction. Find out how they rolled back the legislation put into effect by the Republicans as a result of...
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: The Compromise of 1877
An explanation of the need for a compromise in 1877 and a review of Reconstruction overall.
PBS
Pbs: The West Benjamin "Pap" Singleton
From the critically acclaimed PBS series, "The West," this site provides a brief biography of Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, a leader of the "Great Exodus" which brought thousands of African Americans west from the post-Reconstruction South.
Other
Basd: Reconstruction [Pdf]
A very clear document outlining the various reconstruction plans, the problems for both whites and blacks during Reconstruction, and the amendments added concerning the abolition of slavery, civil rights, and suffrage. Requires Adobe...
New York Times
New York Times: On This Day: Electoral College Controversy 1876
Thomas Nast's political cartoon from a Harper's Weekly 1877 edition plus a description of the dispute over the election of 1876.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Benjamin Harrison: Campaigns and Elections
Read about the subdued campaign and election of 1888 where the Republicans took control of the presidency, House of Represenatives, and Senate. Find out how Benjamin Harrison was selected as the Republican presidential candidate.
A&E Television
History.com: Compromise of 1877
Article explaining what the Compromise of 1877 was, accompanied by a short video about the struggles of African-Americans after the Civil War.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Back to Business After Reconstruction [Pdf]
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson plan, students examine how the Texas economy struggled to survive after...
Other
Postbellum African American Society and Culture: Black Migration
From the Encyclopedia of American Social History. Read about the black migration to the West, primarily Kansas and Oklahoma after the end of Reconstruction and the institution of black codes in the South.