Civil War and Reconstruction

The causes of the Civil War were diverse, despite the institution of slavery typically being viewed as the main cause of the war by a majority of Americans unfamiliar with other issues of the time. One of the biggest differences was the growing economic differences between the increasingly industrial North and the agrarian South. Even though the North relied on the cotton of the South for production, the plantation organization of Southern society relied on slave labor and undermined urbanization and maintained antiquated class divisions.

Another cause of the Civil War stemmed from the evolution of a relatively new nation that was still determining the nature of power relations between the states and federal government. Some states still argued they should not have to accept federal acts if they chose not to do so, but the federal government would not permit states this right. Since states were denied the ability to nullify federal acts, the motivation to move toward secession was laid.

Another major issue that led to the Civil War was the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency. Before Lincoln was voted president seven states had already left the Union. However, other states, especially those in the South, viewed Lincoln as pro-abolition and partial to the industrial and other interests of the North. Tensions over slavery were building between North and South and many felt Lincoln wanted to free the sl

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port of blacks. Important aspects of Reconstruction under Grant included the Pendleton Act of 1883 and the determination to deal with an unscrupulous breed of businessmen and opportunists who were known as Carpetbaggers and Scalawags. Racial conflict in the South was still prevalent with the origination of the Ku Klux Klan and widespread lynching of blacks for the least slight. The Ku Klux Klan became so powerful in intimidating and harming blacks that the KKK Act of 1871 was passed that made it a federal offense for anyone who interfered with voting, holding office or serving on a jury. It also permitted the president to send in federal troops and instilled martial law in South Carolina. Despite these setbacks, the 13th Amendment, the 14th Amendment, and the 15th Amendment was passed - all of which significantly increased the status and rights of African Americans. Despite this kind of progress, Southerners were adamant that the South would rise again as a significant power and admirable society. Increasing industrialization and urbanization in the North would prove this task difficult. Labor Conflict/Labor Organization Labor conflict was commonplace during the post-war period as labor organiza

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