Introduction: Why Reconstruction Matters
The Reconstruction Era (1865–1877) is one of the most heavily tested periods on the AP U.S. History exam. It followed the Civil War and asked one of the hardest questions in American history: How do you rebuild a nation after slavery?
APUSH students must understand Reconstruction not only as a historical period but also as a turning point that shaped race relations, federal power, and politics for the next century.
This guide breaks down the era into key facts, successes, failures, and strategies to ace any APUSH question on Reconstruction — with help from RevisionDojo’s study banks and essay practice tools.
Step 1: Timeline of Reconstruction
- 1865: Civil War ends; Lincoln assassinated; 13th Amendment abolishes slavery.
- 1866: Civil Rights Act passed over Johnson’s veto.
- 1867: Reconstruction Acts place South under military rule.
- 1868: 14th Amendment grants equal protection under law.
- 1869–70: 15th Amendment guarantees voting rights for Black men.
- 1877: Compromise of 1877 ends Reconstruction, federal troops withdraw from the South.
Keep this timeline in your notes — it’s essential for essays and multiple-choice questions.
Step 2: Presidential vs Radical Reconstruction
Presidential Reconstruction (Lincoln/Johnson)
- Lincoln’s 10% Plan: Lenient; 10% of voters pledge loyalty → state readmitted.
- Johnson’s Plan: Pardoned most Confederates; allowed Southern governments back quickly.
- Allowed Black Codes to emerge, limiting African American rights.
