The End of Reconstruction Reading with Questions | Student Handouts - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one, using what we know from the reading passage about Reconstruction.

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1. List the two “Great” laws.

From the text:
> “The first was the Civil Rights Act of 1866... The second great law was the Fourteenth Amendment.”

So the two “Great” laws are:
- The Civil Rights Act of 1866
- The Fourteenth Amendment

✔ Checked — matches the text exactly.

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2. Explain why Reconstruction ultimately failed.

From the text:
> “Reconstruction ultimately failed because Southern whites refused to accept Black equality… They used violence and intimidation… Northern support faded…”

Also:
> “By the late 1870s, most Americans had lost interest in protecting African American rights…”

So reasons include:
- White Southerners resisted change with violence (like the KKK)
- Northern people stopped caring or supporting Reconstruction
- Federal government didn’t enforce laws strongly enough
- Economic problems made people focus on other things

We can summarize simply:

Reconstruction failed because many white Southerners fought against giving Black people equal rights — they used fear and violence. At the same time, people in the North stopped paying attention or helping. Without strong support from the government or the public, the changes couldn’t last.

✔ Makes sense — covers main points from the text.

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3. Imagine that you are a member of Congress in 1870. Write a letter to President Grant explaining why Reconstruction must continue. Why is it important?

This is a writing task — we need to pretend we’re a lawmaker in 1870 talking to President Grant.

Key ideas to include:
- Black Americans still face danger and unfair treatment
- Laws like the 14th Amendment need to be protected
- If we stop now, all the progress will be lost
- It’s our duty to make sure freedom means real equality

Let’s write a short, clear letter:

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*Dear President Grant,*

*I am writing to urge you to keep pushing for Reconstruction. Even though some laws have been passed, Black citizens in the South are still being hurt, scared, and treated unfairly. Groups like the Ku Klux Klan attack them just for trying to vote or go to school.*

*If we give up now, all the work we’ve done — freeing slaves, passing the 14th Amendment — will mean nothing. We promised freedom and equality. We must keep going until every person, no matter their skin color, is truly safe and free.*

*Please don’t let this effort end too soon. Our country depends on it.*

*Sincerely,*
*A Member of Congress*

✔ This fits the time period and uses facts from the text.

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Final Answer:

1. The two “Great” laws are:
- The Civil Rights Act of 1866
- The Fourteenth Amendment

2. Reconstruction failed because white Southerners used violence and intimidation to stop Black equality, and Northern support faded over time. Without strong enforcement or public backing, the reforms could not survive.

3. Letter to President Grant (sample):
*Dear President Grant,
I urge you to continue Reconstruction. Black citizens still face danger and injustice in the South. If we stop now, the promises of freedom and equality will be broken. Please protect the gains we’ve made — our nation’s future depends on it.
Sincerely,
A Member of Congress*