# data[].attributes.headline
Was Reconstruction a success or failure?

# data[].attributes.subject
Was Reconstruction a success or failure?

# data[].attributes.body
I think that reconstruction was, while some bad things happened during its time, ultimately worth it. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment are definitely a wonderful representation of this. The fact that we stood up for African Americans and wouldn't continue to let them be mistreated is really wonderful, and a great representation for us as a country.
To me, however, reconstruction really shows that America wanted to be unified. If we had just remained the North and South, we wouldn't be where we are today. Since the Northerners and the Southerners were able to look past their differences and probably hatred toward each other, they were able to become a unified nation again. It taught us to be accepting and gave us the ability to learn from our mistakes. While there were some bumps along the way, it's the thought that counts, right?

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.google.com/search?q=sharecropping+cartoon&rlz=1CAHPZV_enUS706US706&tbm=isch&imgil=3VyNlezFDVWwWM%253A%253BDKb175I9lsv8vM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%25252Fpin%25252F149815125076237628%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=3VyNlezFDVWwWM%253A%252CDKb175I9lsv8vM%252C_&usg=__9F-FEDo_DcnuDdrX75rU6MJKUGU%3D&biw=1366&bih=631&ved=0ahUKEwiaypGZ1f7OAhUIz2MKHfo9AY4QyjcIKA&ei=E8XQV9r0HIiejwP6-4TwCA&tbs=sur:fmc&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=3VyNlezFDVWwWM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=abe+lincoln+funeral+procession&rlz=1CAHPZV_enUS706US706&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-pLqP1_7OAhUOy2MKHTndCPYQ_AUICCgB&biw=1366&bih=631&tbs=sur:fmc&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=Ka428Yf7dnTv0M%3A

https://deadconfederates.com/2011/12/11/nathan-bedford-forrest-joins-the-klan/

http://www.ushistory.org/us/35.asp

and my notes.

# data[].attributes.body
Nathan Bedford Forrest is known for being a lieutenant colonel for the south, but he may be better known by his association and leadership in the Ku Klux Klan. Known as the "Grand Wizard" of the Klan, Forrest denied association with the Klan. However, since he was able to successfully able to order the Klan to stop their violence, this is questioned. This goes to show that, while most Southerners may have had some wrong values, it is possible for them to change. Either Forrest finally saw that the Klan was bad and decided to stop them, or decided that it looked bad for him, but either way he stopped it. I think that it's important to know that not all Southerners were terrible, horrible, no-good slave drivers that always were up to something horribly wrong and immoral. People can change, and Nathan Bedford Forrest is only one of the examples of these people.

This photo was chosen because it shows the horrible things that the KKK did. What kind of a person do you have to be to burn down a schoolhouse? Obviously a bad one. Nathan Bedford Forrest stopped this. He was the one who saved lives that could've been taken had the KKK continued. While he did bad things, he did attempt to fix them by ending the KKK, and that should and can not be overlooked.

# data[].attributes.body
On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln passed away due to unfortunate causes. Abraham was a wonderful president, and caused many great things to happen, such as freeing slaves and treating everyone equally. He will be buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL. He was the cause of many wonderful things that will be remembered forever.

Photo chosen because it shows the honor that we had for Abraham Lincoln and all he did. The photo really does a good job of saying, "Yes, Lincoln had his faults, but we are grateful for all he did for us." All of the people that were there to watch his coffin be moved shows the support people had for him.

# data[].attributes.body
Sharecropping really isn't much different than being a slave. When I first got into sharecropping, I thought it was a great idea. I'm getting free food for doing what I know how to do, right? Wrong. Since you don't get paid, I cannot leave and buy my own land to farm myself and get profit. I don't have money to go and get a real job, and if I did that then I would starve with no money for anything. So what do I do? I have to stay in sharecropping. Honestly, my life hasn't changed much since I was a slave. Except now, I'm not a slave by force, I'm a slave by choice. It is nice to be able to do things and not be owned by someone. I don't have to obey someone and live by their rules. However, while I'm thankful for that, it is still unfortunate that I have submitted myself into this slavery by myself, because unlike times before, I can't blame someone else. The only person I have to blame is myself.

I chose to include this photo because it shows the mindlessness of sharecropping. It was slavery, except this time it was a choice.

# data[].attributes.headline
African Americans: Political Role in Reconstruction

# data[].attributes.subject
African Americans: Political Role in Reconstruction

# data[].attributes.body
Blanche Bruce was the first African-American U.S. Senator to serve a full term, serving from 1875-1881. He was a freed slave. The 15th amendment helped Blanche Bruce get elected and do the things he did, like arguing for levee systems and railroad tracks. He was also an advocate for civil rights for blacks.

This item was chosen because when you read something about a person it helps put it into context when you see who the reading is about. It also shows that these were real people we read about in our history books, not just names on a page. These people had lives, a family, friends, and especially for blacks usually the enjoyment of life was replaced by the unfairness of people.

# data[].attributes.body
Military Reconstruction Act: An act enforced that divided the south into 5 different zones. The Act required the south to allow African-American men the right to vote. It also required the south to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment to reenter the Union. The South thought that this was unconstitutional and Johnson attempted to veto the act, but failed.

This item was chosen because it shows not only the 5 zones divided by Military Reconstruction, but also because it shows who the leader of the zone was. Leaders are always important to know because they could either make or break an area.

# data[].attributes.body
Are you a freed slave with nothing? No job, house, or food? We can help. Come to the Freedmen's Bureau. Friendly service helps you get a job, housing, food, medical services, schooling, and legal assistance.
"Good service, helped lots."  -Anonymous freed slave, helped by bureau

This item was chosen because it clearly explains what the Freedmen's Bureau does. It is easy to read and understand which is important in an ad.