essay 4
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Houston Community College *
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53777
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History
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by ProfIronGrouse51
Serges Ayuk,
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR IN FILM,
Professor Deyle,
May 05
th
, 2023.
Essay Four:
Reconstruction, the period that followed the Civil War, was a watershed moment in American history. Its goal was to rebuild the country while addressing the civil rights issue for newly emancipated African Americans. In this essay, I will argue that Reconstruction was partially successful but failed. I define success as positive outcomes and advances in civil rights and societal transformation. Missed opportunities and persistent inequality are examples of failure. In addition, I will examine how Hollywood has presented this argument in films such as Glory (1989), Free State of Jones (2016), and Lincoln (2012), as well as documentary evidence from Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction, 3rd ed.
The film Glory (1989) depicts the bravery and sacrifice of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first African American regiments during the Civil War. It emphasizes the determination of African American soldiers to fight for freedom and equality. The film Free State of Jones (2016) tells the story of Newton Knight, a white farmer who defied the Confederacy and established an interracial community in Mississippi. The film depicts the difficulties that people seeking racial equality faced in the postwar South. Finally, Lincoln (2012) focuses on President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, which
abolished slavery. It emphasizes the political maneuvering required to secure the amendment's passage.
The arguments in these films relate to some of the historical evidence presented in Major Problems in the Civil War and Reconstruction. The film Glory, for example, resonates with firsthand accounts of African American soldiers who fought valiantly for their freedom (Document 1, page 393). This film demonstrates the will and resilience of the African American soldiers fighting for their beliefs. Considering the works of President Abraham Lincoln and the Union freed them, former slaves—now freedmen—had more than enough reason to participate in the war. The Free State of Jones reflects interracial communities' struggles and resistance to the reimposition of white supremacy during Reconstruction (Document 2, page 445). (Document
3, page 502) Lincoln captured the political complexities and compromises required to pass the Thirteenth Amendment.
However, it is important to note that films frequently simplify complex historical events and may prioritize dramatic storytelling over absolute accuracy. Specific details and their representation of broader historical context can call into question the historical accuracy of these films. Glory, for example, focuses on the 54th Massachusetts Infantry's bravery but does not fully explore the complexities of Reconstruction or the broader African American experience. Many aspects, such as racism and separation of rights in this time, may not be as well emphasized as in other accounts of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The Free State of Jones takes liberties with historical facts to emphasize the resistance to Confederate authority, whereas Lincoln focuses on the Thirteenth Amendment without delving into the larger challenges of Reconstruction, such as the reunion of the Union and the Confederacy. Challenges and events such as these were often briefly touched on in favor of a more dramatic experience.
Reconstruction can be seen as a complicated and multifaceted period with both successes and failures. While legal and constitutional advances for African Americans, such as the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, were made, the promise of full equality remained elusive. Such an example was President Andrew Johnson, who succeeded the late Abraham Lincoln. Through his decisions, many internal conflicts arose between him and Congress over the treatment of the now-disbanded Confederacy. Later, when military districts were removed from the South, freedmen were treated as inferior without protection from the government. Though there were many pivotal moments, not much change occurred due to Reconstruction. The abandonment of Reconstruction's transformative goals was caused by widespread violence, the rise of white supremacist groups, and the withdrawal of federal support.
Economic hardships, sharecropping, and the entrenchment of segregation slowed progress even more.
The representation of Reconstruction in Hollywood films such as Glory, Free State of Jones, and Lincoln provides valuable insights into the struggles faced by African Americans and those who fought for racial equality. These films capture the bravery and determination of people
during this period. However, they do not provide a comprehensive picture of the complexities and challenges of Reconstruction. Many crucial events in Reconstruction were not well-
explained. While they shed light on crucial details, they frequently simplify historical events and may favor specific narratives over a broader understanding of the era.
Ultimately, Reconstruction was a time of significant accomplishments as well as missed opportunities. This period saw significant legal and constitutional advancements for African Americans. However, widespread violence, the rise of white supremacist groups, and the
withdrawal of federal support caused the transformational goals of Reconstruction to be abandoned.
Citations: All support information came from class materials
.
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