Rebuilding America: Lincoln and the Start of Reconstruction

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a comprehensive introduction to the Reconstruction era immediately following the American Civil War, specifically focusing on Abraham Lincoln's presidency. It begins with a review of the Civil War's toll and the political landscape of a divided nation. The narrator details the specific challenges the United States faced in reintegrating the Southern states and defining the rights of newly freed Black Americans. The content explores two competing visions for Reconstruction: Lincoln's lenient "Ten Percent Plan," which prioritized healing and swift reunification, and the Radical Republicans' stricter "Wade-Davis Bill," which sought to punish the South and ensure stricter loyalty standards. The video highlights key achievements during this turbulent time, such as the passage of the 13th Amendment and the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau, while also addressing the severe economic hardships and racial discrimination that persisted in the South. Designed for history classrooms, this video serves as an excellent primer for units on the post-Civil War era. It encourages critical thinking by asking students to evaluate different political strategies for national recovery. Teachers can use this resource to spark debates on justice versus mercy in politics, analyze primary source quotes like Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, and help students understand the fragile state of the Union prior to Lincoln's assassination.