Summary of Foner’s The New View of Reconstruction (Scroll Down for Article)

Beginning as early as the 1870’s, a particular story of Reconstruction began to take hold in the American public. Put forward by many different people over the years, including Columbia history professors and Hollywood movies such as The Birth of a Nation and Gone with the Wind, this view of Reconstruction dominated for nearly a century. This story of Reconstruction cast the Radical Republicans as bitter politicians bent on punishing the South despite the dying wishes for leniency from Abraham Lincoln. Andrew Johnson tried to follow through on Lincoln’s wishes, but he was too weak a politician to stop the vengeful Radical Republicans and would later pay for it with his impeachment. Because of the policy pushed by the Radical Republicans on the South, Freedmen were given too much power too fast. Unable to handle this new found political freedom, African Americans sent the South into even more chaos. After much hardship, southerners were finally able to rise up and save the South. This was the story of Reconstruction told and taught in America. Although much of this view is based in truth, it overlooks a large untold story.

With the resurgence of national attention on racial tensions in the 1960’s and the Civil Rights Movement, historians began to reexamine the story of Reconstruction. Where were the Freedmen during Reconstruction they asked? With a shift in focus from the side of white southerners and Washington politicians to African Americans a new story appeared. No longer were Freedmen the overwhelmed bumpkins who further ruined the South with the freedom they were given by Radical Republicans. Now highlighting the acts of African Americans showed, in fact, Freedmen fought for those political rights and when allowed flourished as political leaders. That the rise of the white South, long advertised as the return of the South to civilization, ushered in an age of brutal terrorism led by the KKK. The image of Radical Republicans also changed. No longer were they only looking to punish the South but also interested in extending the American dream of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to all men (note: women not included).

Foner continues by explaining recent historians have further tweaked our understanding of Reconstruction. While it was long explained as a complete failure that almost destroyed the South. Historians now ask why more light has not been shined on its successes. Much like the grand experiment of America itself, where self-government was given to more people than ever before, Reconstruction welcomed 4 million African Americans as American citizens. While it is true that those rights would be largely denied to African Americans, especially those living in the South, for another 100 years, the short period of time between 1865-1876 can be seen as a time where liberty was shared by more Americans than ever before. In fact, Foner says, the successes and experiences of Reconstruction would inspire future generations to fight for more equality.