What was the main goal of the Reconstruction era?

The main goal of the Reconstruction era was to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. Following the Civil War, the United States faced the monumental task of reintegrating the Southern states that had seceded and addressing the status of millions of newly freed African Americans. This period aimed at not only physical reconstruction of the war-torn South but also at establishing legal and social frameworks to ensure that formerly enslaved individuals could participate as full citizens in American society. This included measures such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship rights, and protected voting rights for African American men.

The focus on these objectives represented a significant shift in the social dynamics of the country. By working towards integration, Reconstruction sought to address the deep-seated racial inequalities that had persisted and aimed at fostering a sense of unity and progress in the post-war nation.