I need to know the three main reasons the Reconstruction efforts to ensure equal rights to the Freedman failed?
This site will give you some ideas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction
To identify the three main reasons why Reconstruction efforts failed to ensure equal rights for the Freedmen, you can analyze historical sources and research. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to find these reasons:
1. Start by understanding the objectives of Reconstruction: Reconstruction was initiated after the American Civil War to rebuild the country and address the issues of slavery, secession, and the rights of newly freed slaves (Freedmen). Learn about the goals set during this period, such as providing political rights, land ownership, and educational opportunities for Freedmen.
2. Study primary sources: Primary sources like speeches, letters, and official documents from the Reconstruction era can provide valuable insights into the challenges faced. Sources such as the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution), congressional debates, presidential speeches, and memoirs of prominent figures involved in Reconstruction can help identify the reasons for its failure.
3. Analyze secondary sources: Consult reliable secondary sources such as scholarly books, articles, and historical analyses written by experts. These sources often synthesize primary sources and provide well-researched interpretations of events. Look for books or articles that specifically focus on the failure of Reconstruction and discuss the reasons behind it. Pay attention to different perspectives and historical contexts.
4. Identify the key challenges and obstacles: Based on the research, you can identify the three main reasons for the failure of Reconstruction efforts to ensure equal rights for Freedmen. These reasons often include:
a. Resistance from Southern white supremacists: The rise of white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, intimidation tactics, violence, and the implementation of discriminatory laws like Jim Crow laws, undermined the civil rights and political participation of Freedmen.
b. Lack of federal government support: Over time, the federal government's commitment to Reconstruction waned. Political compromises, economic pressures, and shifting priorities diverted attention and resources away from ensuring the rights of Freedmen. The withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the disputed presidential election of 1876 further hampered efforts to protect the rights of Freedmen.
c. Limited economic opportunities: Despite efforts to provide land and economic assistance, many Freedmen struggled to secure economic independence. Limited access to credit, discriminatory labor practices, and the persistence of sharecropping and tenant farming systems kept many Freedmen in poverty and dependent on their former white enslavers.
Remember, while these three reasons are commonly cited, there may be additional factors and complexities involved. It's important to critically evaluate the evidence and interpretations to form a comprehensive understanding of why Reconstruction failed to provide equal rights to the Freedmen.