The reconstruction era was a very influential part of America’s modern history.

African American lives were drastically changed due to reconstruction, and

African Americans helped to shape America during reconstruction. Various

historical sources have different views of the plight and lives of African Americans

during this time.

The first source, entitled “Reconstruction”, written by Thomas W. Wilson, portrays

African Americans in the South in an unfavorable light. This source was written in

the early 20th century, and largely depicts Southern African Americans as ignorant

men, whose “credulity made them easy dupes” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 10). Since

Thomas W. Wilson view African Americans as ignorant, he thinks they were

“cozen(ed), beguile(ed) and use(d)” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 10). by the Northerners.

Thomas W. Wilson thought that the “ignorant votes” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 11). of

African Americans contributed to the rise of Northerners and corruption in the

government.

The second source, “The Negro in Reconstruction”, authored by a well-educated

African American showed a stark contrast in the view of African Americans when

compared to the first source. The second source, written by Carter Woodson

outlines that the African American population was becoming increasingly

“enlightened” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 12). It states that “negro illiteracy was reduced to

79.9% by 1870” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 12). Carter Woodson go on to state “the masses
of negroes did not take part in the government in the beginning of the

reconstruction” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 12). This statement contrasts with the widely

held view that illiterate African Americans were holding many key positions in the

government. “Most of the local, State and Federal offices, however, were held not

by Negroes but by southern white men, and by others who came from the North

and profited by the prostration of the South” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 13). Many Southern

whites also described the African American leaders as corrupt and selfish, while

according to Carter Woodson, “Most Negro officers who served in the South came

out of office with an honorable record” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 13).

The third source, “The Ordeal of Reconstruction” by Thomas A. Bailey, was

revised near the end of the civil rights movement. Thomas A. Bailey believed that

allowing African Americans the right to vote “set the stage for stark tragedy”

(Hollitz, 2015, p. 14). He believed that African Americans were “bewildered… and

poorly prepared for their new responsibility as citizens and voters”. (Hollitz, 2015,

p. 14). He goes on to describe African Americans of this time as unaware and

seemingly stupid. Thomas A Bailey admits that some slaves “were remarkedly

well educated” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 14)., but then goes on to describe the vast

majority as “illiterate” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 14). He also admits that African

Americans were influencers during the reconstruction phase because they were
“raising points of order under the gavel of the speaker” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 15). This

shows that these African American leaders played an important role in this process.

The fourth source was “Reconstruction: An Unfinished Revolution”, written by

Mary Beth Norton in 2001. This source provides the most recent view of the events

that took place during the reconstruction era. Mary Beth Norton notes that African

Americans during this period were very active at the polls. She continues to state

that although African Americans literacy rates were low, they were still able to

make “intelligent choices” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 17) at the polls. She adds that due to

the large number of African American voters, the Southern Republican party was

formed. She states that the Republican party was of utter importance because it

“brought the South into line with progressive reforms” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 17). She

then asserts how the Republican, formed due to the large number of African

American voters, was influential in providing well needed social institutions to the

south. She continues to state that although African Americans literacy rates were

low, they were still able to make “intelligent choices” (Hollitz, 2015, p. 17) at the

polls.

In conclusion, there are many different historical perspectives of the reconstruction

era. Each source is shaped by either the racial background of author or the period

in which it was written. However, all the sources are consistent in agreeing that

African Americans played a major role during the reconstruction era.

References:

 Hollitz, John Erwin. Thinking through the Past: a Critical Thinking

Approach to U.S. History Volume II: since 1865, Fifth Edition. Cengage

Learning, 2015.