Start with the site “Reconstruction!! Confederate Military History, Volume 12” (http://www.civilwarhome.com/reconstruction.htm).

1		Read through its explanations of the different phases of Reconstruction. How does it characterize the role of the federal government? Former Confederates? The freed slaves? What are the points of emphasis in this argument? Is this argument in any way different from those of the Dunning School described in Where Historians Disagree? If so, how?

Next read “Life After the 13th Amendment,” (http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/douglass/part5.html),

2		an essay describing the efforts of leaders such as Frederick Douglass during Reconstruction on behalf of the former slaves, as well as the progress and setbacks experienced by the freed men and women during this era. How does this essay’s characterization of the three major players in this drama (the federal government, former Confederates and freed slaves) contrast to that of the Confederate history site? Do these sites agree on any aspects of Reconstruction? If so, what are they?
3		What does the author of “Life After the 13th Amendment” believe were the goals of the freed slaves during this era? Did the efforts of black leaders focus on suffrage, property ownership, civil rights, or all of the above? Did they achieve any successes? What caused the failures of these efforts? How does this argument coincide with that of Leon Litwack’s Been in the Storm So Long as described in Where Historians Disagree?

Read “The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant” (http://saints.css.edu/mkelsey/presid.html).

4		How does this historian view President Grant’s role in Reconstruction? On what basis does he argue that historians have misunderstood and overlooked Grant’s accomplishments during Reconstruction?
5		Why do you think debates over the nature of Reconstruction have caused so much controversy and played such an important role in our popular culture? Why do these debates over Reconstruction have an effect on 21st century Americans?

Other sites with primary and secondary documents regarding Reconstruction include:

6		Reconstruction by Frederick Douglas http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/black/douglas.htm an 1866 article by Douglass outlining his plan for Reconstruction in the South. Reconstruction and Rights (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/features/timeline/civilwar/recontwo/recontwo.html). Primary documents relating to enfranchisement. The Reconstruction of North Georgia (http://ngeorgia.com/history/reconstruction.html) – an excellent view of Reconstruction from a more localized perspective.