Reconstruction- The Second American Revolution

Reconstruction and its aftermath in America today is under scrutiny, now perhaps more than ever, especially regarding the birthright issue. The greatest achievement of Reconstruction was the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. The first time to spell out in the Constitution the implications of "All men are created equal."

Historically, the interpretation of Reconstruction was dominated by the Dunning school which supported "The Lost Cause" of the Confederacy and sought to undermine these amendments and the imposition of Jim Crow.