Write a complete (complex) thesis that responds to the prompt: Evaluate the extent to which the end of Reconstruction was a turning point in American History. (*hint, this is a continuity and change questions. Your thesis needs to cite what changed as well as what stayed the same)

The end of Reconstruction marked a significant turning point in American history, as it led to a shift in political and social landscapes, while also perpetuating certain long-standing issues. The period after Reconstruction witnessed a decrease in federal intervention in the South, resulting in the erosion of civil rights for African Americans, a continuation of racial inequalities, and the rise of Jim Crow laws. Despite these regressive changes, Reconstruction set a precedent for future civil rights movements, empowered African American political engagement, and laid the foundation for the eventual dismantling of racial segregation in the United States. As such, while the end of Reconstruction brought about certain negative consequences, it also played a critical role in shaping America's ongoing struggle for equality.