U.s. Army And The Civil War - 965 Words

Army personnel were deeply involved throughout the process of reconstruction. Beyond their tremendous effort to strengthen the Freedman’s Bureau, the military oversaw voter registration and elections, established schools, prohibited alcohol, tried to settle property disputes, contracted labor systems and most importantly, maintained law and order. The violence that erupted in the South during the years of reconstruction was dreadful. With military occupation, white violence against blacks did not disappear but it did subside. Blair mentions, that â€Å"no matter how small the number of occupying soldiers, ex-Confederates and white supremacists invariably backed down whenever confronted by the army.† According to Blair, â€Å"Military force on a†¦show more content†¦With a post-Civil War military made up of only about, 25,000 men, â€Å"committing 10,000 to 20,000 troops to long term occupation of the South was unthinkable for practical, economic and politi cal-ideological reasons.† For the short time the Military remained in the South, they achieved significant success in establishing policies of Reconstruction. The Civil War and Reconstruction brought a variety of significant changes to the United States and its citizens. Once under servitude and suffering abuse, Reconstruction brought African Americans new freedoms, rights and opportunities. It was the first time in American history that the Government took full responsibility in defending and protecting its citizen’s basic human rights. Once politically powerless, Reconstruction policies opened new doors for African Americans throughout the United States. During the years of Reconstruction, African Americans in the United States searched for the true meaning of freedom while leaving their first legacies of success on the world. Historian, Steven Hahn describes the legacies left behind by African Americans during this confusing period. According to Hahn, â€Å"at on e time and place or another, a black man occupied virtually every office available at the local level.† After the ratification of the Civil War Amendments, African Americans in the South moved into politics decently fast. They