RECONSTRUCTION: A Step of Equality and Freedom for African Americans The end of the Civil War left the South in great turmoil and chaos. With the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the blacks from the institute of slavery, the foundation of southern economy was being crippled. Also, the blacks themselves given freedom needed help adapting to this world of freedom, "For we colored people did not know how to be free"(African American Odyssey, Library of Congress). …showed first 75 words of 1890 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1890 total…a step in establishing equality and freedom. Even though reconstruction was hampered by those who opposed it, the fight for black equality did not die with reconstruction. The civil rights era eventually followed the progression of black rights, and then finally equality. Although, some might say that true equality between blacks and whites has yet to come, the reality is that this equality has gone through a lot and is more real now then ever.