Samantha's Civil War and Reconstruction Top Ten by Samantha Choi

November 6th, 1860 Election

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 05:10:44 UTC

I chose the election of 1860 because of its political, economic, and social impact on sectionalism. Socially, it polarized the nation. With the South viewing Lincoln and the Northerners as an enemy. Politically, this election split the nation into the Northern and Southern factions. Economically, the South's economy relied heavily on slave labor. With the new anti slavery republican party, they saw a hard future for their plantations. Ultimately, Lincoln's victory in their election is what caused the Southern states to secede.

May 30th, 1854 Kansas Nebraska Act

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 18:28:36 UTC

I chose the Kansas Nebraska act because of its political and social significance in widening the rift between the North and the South. Politically it heightened conflicts between the North and the South and ultimately led to "Bleeding Kansas". Socially it divided the people of the North and the South, causing tensions to grow. Politically it also allowed for the Republican party to gain more popularity for its strong stance on anti slavery. The Kansas Nebraska act ultimately led to states turning on each other and the separation of the North and the South

March 6th, 1857 Dred Scott Decision

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 18:29:51 UTC

I chose the Dred Scott Decision because of its social and political effect on Sectionalism. Socially, this decision appeased to the South and angered the North. Politically the decision made slavery legal in the Northern states. This essentially made all the North's anti slavery laws null and void. The North and the South had vastly different opinions on the decision, which further worsened the conflicts between them.

January 1st, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 18:35:11 UTC

I chose the Emancipation Proclamation because of its social, political, and intellectual impact on the Civil War. Socially, the Emancipation Proclamation caused enslaved workers to run away from their plantations and resist labor. Politically, it redefined the purpose of the war. The Civil War was no longer about restoring the Union, but about ending slavery. Intellectually, it turned the war into a fight for human rights and freedom. This reinforced the idea of equality and called back to the constitution. The Emancipation Proclamation redefined the Civil War's purpose and gave the Union a better idea of what exactly they were fighting for.

November 15th, 1864 Atlanta to Savannah March

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 18:37:42 UTC

I chose the Atlanta to Savannah March because of its social, political, economic impact on the Civil War. Socially, many civilians were affected by the aftermath of the Atlanta to Savannah March. Numerous towns were burned, which destroyed the livelihoods of many Southerners. It also served as a morale boost to the North, as it was one of the final pushes towards the end of the Civil War. Politically, the success of this March gave Lincoln a better shot during the reelection. It also significantly weakened the Confederate government and morale. Economically, the South was impacted by this march for years to come. It completely destroyed many crops and towns, setting the south back years. Overall the Atlanta to Savannah March is regarded as one of the end battles of the Civil War, and marked a major loss for the South.

April 9th, 1865 Confederates Surrender

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 18:38:58 UTC

I chose the Surrender of the Confederates because of its social, political, and economic impact on the outcome of the Civil War. Socially, this surrender was a huge loss for the South. The South was devastated by this loss and were forced to go back to the Union. Politically, Lee's surrender marked the end of the Civil War. The Confederates rejoined the US and had to get rid of slavery. Economically, the South could no longer rely on slave labor from this point on. They had to find new ways to extort their workers to keep up the profits. Much of the South was damaged in the Civil War, so they had to rebuild that as well.

1865 - 1960s Sharecropping

samantha_choi — 2025-10-02 21:54:57 UTC

I chose Sharecropping because of its social, and economic impact on Reconstruction. The types of working conditions that Sharecropping put people in were akin to slavery. Socially, it kept black people in the box of being workers. They had won the war and outlawed slavery but not much changed. They were still working at the same plantations, doing the same job, and being treated almost the same as they used to be. Economically, sharecropping put a lot of workers into debt and allowed for their bosses to get richer.The debt they faced was so severe that children were carrying the debt of their grandparents. Sharecropping was a Reconstruction failure.

1865 - 1872 Freedmen's Bureau

samantha_choi — 2025-10-03 22:10:22 UTC

I chose the Freedmen''s Bureau because of its social, political, intellectual, and economic impact on reconstruction. The Freedmen played a crucial role in Reconstruction and had a lasting impact on the future of the US. Socially, the Freedmen's Bureau was very divisive. Former Confederates hated the idea of sending their tax dollars towards this Bureau. Politically, the Freedmen's bureau gave former slaves and colored people more political freedom. they fought for colored people to vote and take up roles in politics. Intellectually, the Freedmen's Bureau built many new schools for colored and white people alike. These schools made education more asses able for people in less fortunate situations. Economically, the bureau was funded by tax money and helped build many essential buildings. They used this money to build schools and hospitals.

1865 - 1870 Ku Klux Klan

samantha_choi — 2025-10-03 22:13:30 UTC

I chose the KKK because of its social, political, and religious impact on Reconstruction. Socially, the KKK forced people to fear for their lives every time they stepped out of their houses. They attacked anyone who would sympathize with ex slaves. Politically, they would intimidate people as they were voting. People were fearful of the KKK, so many would not show up at all. This affected the people who were getting chosen for government positions, since many people were scared to vote against white supremacists. Religiously, the KKK used Christianity to excuse their extreme actions.

1877 Voting Restriction

samantha_choi — 2025-10-06 22:07:08 UTC

I chose the Voter Restrictions in 1877 because of its social, political, and economic impact on Reconstruction. These new Voter Restrictions essentially removed black people's votes. It allowed voting to once again only consist of white voters. On top of the KKK intimidating voters, the new restrictions got rid of what little black votes were left. It also created a social division between whites and blacks. It reinforced the idea that black people were not as intelligent or capable as whites. Economically, since people needed to pay to be able to vote, it allowed only wealthy people to vote. New laws were voted for and formed only by the wealthy.