(EQ1) To what extent was the revolutionary potential of Reconstruction limited by 1) society, 2) law, 3) politics, 4) economic power, 5) racism,

6) and judicial conservatism?

Any new system, so radically different from the former status quo, is rarely accepted with open arms and little unrest. Reconstruction, however, was even more than reorganization of a social, political or economic system; it was the combined reorganization of all of them, all at once. It is therefore unsurprising that a conquered people would be so resistive to new measures, though the weakness of government, combined with political bitterness and deep-seated racism also played a role. Possibly the most fundamental and important of all contributing factors to a convulsive Reconstruction was the role society took. Being, theoretically, the fundamental force in a democracy, society is the major driving force behind which road politicians will take. After the Civil War, many people, especially Northerners, looked upon the South with disdain, with much of it reflected back in the eyes of the beaten Southerners. The animosity generated did not help measures gain popular backing and helped pave the way for radical Republicans to gain majority control over both Senate and Congress. Also important within society was racism. Though a war to free blacks from oppression, both North and South had deep-seated racist tendencies. Neither side would fully support the recognition of blacks as equal to whites and eventually Black Code laws made their disparate enfranchisement legal. More than simply the voices of the people spoken through the mouths of a select few, politics and politicians did much to stifle reconstruction. With the assassination of Lincoln, the Souths hopes of fluid reintegration were dashed upon the rocks, or more appropriately, President Johnson. Johnsons disenfranchisement of wealthy aristocrats upset many in the South,

who saw him as destroying their culture, culture that was legal and was their right. Additionally, Johnsons inability to console Congress eventually led to Congress surpassing his vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote. This would effectively destroy the executive branch of government, even though it was headed by a generally inept President. Although the government was sternly biased against the traitorous South, the plight of Dixies economy also contributed to social upheaval and general unhappiness. With what little infrastructure mostly destroyed, the South found itself looking up cotton fields untilled and weed-laden. It now had no effective labor force and livestock was in short supply after being looted and plundered by marauding Yankees. Major cities had also been torched, including Richmond, Atlanta and Charleston effectively destroying cities capable of producing industrial might. Before anyone in the South could be given the chance to work for their own prosperity, the economic situation would have to improve. No more helpful were the shortsighted laws enacted by both Congress and individual states along with judicial measures that continued to hamper Southern growth. The South quickly created Black Codes in an attempt to limit the rights of the newly freed slaves and stabilize the tumultuous atmosphere. In retaliation to the illegal laws, the Republicans pushed over Johnsons veto the Fourteenth Amendment which was designed to counter the Black Codes. To help enforce the new Amendment, as well as quiet any dissenting voices, the South was divided into five regions, each commanded by a general. Within these regions the civilian judiciary system was replaced with a military one, to which the Supreme Court turned a blind eye. The turmoil caused by Lincolns death led to overzealous Republicans who looked more to retaliate than rebuild. Combined with an ineffectual President the reconstruction was a volatile period that was handled with astonishingly little tact.