i have a DBQ that i'm not sure how to introduce (the first paragraph).

the question is: in what ways and to what extent did constitutional and social developements between 1860 and 1877 amount to a revolution?

thanks in advance

You might consider something like this:

The Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, and Reconstruction brought many radical and revolutionay changes to the United States.

To introduce your DBQ, it's important to provide some context and set the stage for the reader. Here's an example of how you could start your introduction:

"Between the years 1860 and 1877, the United States experienced a period of significant constitutional and social developments that bore the potential to amount to a revolution. The nation was engulfed in the turmoil of the Civil War, witnessed the emancipation of millions of enslaved African Americans through the Emancipation Proclamation, and underwent a transformative period of Reconstruction. These events unleashed a series of profound changes that challenged the existing order and paved the way for the emergence of a new America. This essay will explore the ways in which these constitutional and social developments between 1860 and 1877 can be characterized as revolutionary."

Now, by using this introduction, you have set the stage for your essay and provided a clear thesis statement that you will be supporting throughout your DBQ. Keep in mind that it's essential to refer back to this thesis statement as you examine specific evidence in your essay.