At the end of the Civil War, the Union was faced with rebuilding a war-torn nation. The North and South were no longer at war, but their divergent views on government, race, and individual rights created a deep division in the country. The war brought freedom to 3.5 million former slaves but also to many women. (Gillon & Matson p.571) With men at war or not returning from war, women possessed a new level of independence. Black people and women wanted to be treated fairly; they wanted their voices to be relevant to shaping America. Above all, they wanted equality and citizenship. Many former slaves found it difficult to reposition themselves in this new free country. It was difficult for them to move beyond farming or plantation work due to lack of financial resources. They were still not considered equal by many Southern or Northern whites and therefore would not be employed by them in other businesses. Even if they were free from slavery, obviously it was a false freedom. For former slaves, the reconstruction plan held great promise for their individual rights, guaranteed them freedom and new opportunities. The Reconstruction period was initially conceived by Lincoln as a period of rebuilding the South. Reconstruction was intended to help the South rebuild infrastructure damaged during the war, but also to help people reconcile the cultural, social, and economic changes associated with the end of slavery. Republicans believed that once black men had the right to vote, they could improve their lives and economic situations. (Gillon p. 577) This is how the campaign for the emancipation of blacks was born. However, the nation struggled to adjust to the end of slavery. Individuals were challenged on a psychological, social level...... middle of paper ...... while the battlefields were empty, deep-rooted ideologies and reasons for war persisted and are returned home. The nation remained torn and unable to cope with the social and cultural changes associated with the end of slavery. Even though good intentions could be found, the nation continued to struggle and hinder its own progress. The civil rights movement would last for decades, and although inequality improved, it still exists today. Works Cited Buescher, John. “Voting Rights and the 14th Amendment.” National Clearinghouse for History and Education. Nd Web. September 16, 2011Gillon, Steven and Matson, Cathy. The American Experience, A History of the United States. 3rd edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. White, Xan. “In memory of the Colfax massacre.” Center for Constitutional Accountability. April 13, 2010. Internet. September 20, 2011