The Debate Over Reconstruction: North vs South

Who killed Reconstruction: the North or the South?

What were the key factors that led to the end of the Reconstruction era?

Answer:

The end of Reconstruction after the American Civil War is attributed to both the South and the North. Southern 'Redeemers' used methods to regain power and suppress freed African Americans' rights. Conversely, Northern commitment to protect these rights waned due to political fatigue and a re-focus on economic development.

The Reconstruction era, following the American Civil War, was a period of reintegration for the Southern states back into the Union. The question refers to the DBQ (Document Based Questions) about who from the North or the South killed the Reconstruction era. There's a considerable debate over this with historians attributing the end of Reconstruction to both southern white resistance and northern neglect.

Many historians argue that the Southern 'Redeemers' played a significant role given them the name 'South Killed Reconstruction'. These were southern whites who used both political and violent means to regain power and effectively suppress the rights of freed African Americans.

However, a counter viewpoint suggests that the North bears responsibility, being termed as 'North Killed Reconstruction'. The argument here is that the Northerners gradually retreated from their commitment to protect African American rights due to fatigue over the political fight against the South and a shifting focus to economic development.