assage 2: Opposition to Reconstruction Policies

Question

assage 2: Opposition to Reconstruction Policies
After the Civil War, the federal government implemented a series of Reconstruction policies to rebuild the South and secure civil rights for African Americans. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments were passed to ensure that slavery was abolished, that all people born in the U.S. had citizenship, and that voting rights were granted regardless of race. However, many white Southerners opposed these laws, arguing that they represented an overreach of federal power and violated the rights of states to govern themselves.

Opponents of Reconstruction also argued that federal involvement in the South hampered the region’s economic recovery. The new laws, they claimed, caused higher taxes and social unrest, as many white Southerners resented the federal government’s interference in their local affairs. The opposition also highlighted the difficulties Southern states faced in rebuilding their infrastructure, which was further complicated by the imposition of federal policies. While some supporters of Reconstruction defended these laws as necessary for securing equality, critics maintained that they were damaging to the Southern economy and the region’s autonomy.

Question 1
What is the main argument in Passage 2 regarding Reconstruction policies?(1 point)
Responses

The Reconstruction laws were essential for ensuring civil rights for African Americans, but they hindered the South’s economic recovery.
The Reconstruction laws were essential for ensuring civil rights for African Americans, but they hindered the South’s economic recovery.

The Reconstruction laws were not necessary because the South was rebuilding on its own.
The Reconstruction laws were not necessary because the South was rebuilding on its own.

The Reconstruction laws were beneficial because they promoted the South’s economic recovery.
The Reconstruction laws were beneficial because they promoted the South’s economic recovery.

The Reconstruction laws should have been more focused on helping poor whites, rather than African Americans.
The Reconstruction laws should have been more focused on helping poor whites, rather than African Americans.
Question 2
Which piece of evidence from Passage 2 best supports the argument that Reconstruction policies were harmful to the South?(1 point)
Responses

The federal government’s involvement led to increased taxes and social unrest.
The federal government’s involvement led to increased taxes and social unrest.

The Reconstruction laws guaranteed voting rights for African Americans.
The Reconstruction laws guaranteed voting rights for African Americans.

The federal government provided support to Southern infrastructure.
The federal government provided support to Southern infrastructure.

The South resisted the federal government’s interference in their local affairs.
The South resisted the federal government’s interference in their local affairs.
Question 3
What flaw can be found in the reasoning of Passage 2?(1 point)
Responses

The passage fails to consider the positive impacts of Reconstruction on African Americans.
The passage fails to consider the positive impacts of Reconstruction on African Americans.

The passage does not explore the long-term benefits of Reconstruction for the Southern economy.
The passage does not explore the long-term benefits of Reconstruction for the Southern economy.

The passage overemphasizes the economic hardships faced by the South without acknowledging the importance of civil rights.
The passage overemphasizes the economic hardships faced by the South without acknowledging the importance of civil rights.

The passage argues that the South’s economy was not impacted by the Reconstruction policies.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

**Question 1** What is the main argument in Passage 2 regarding Reconstruction policies? **Response:** The Reconstruction laws were essential for ensuring civil rights for African Americans, but they hindered the South’s economic recovery. --- **Question 2** Which piece of evidence from Passage 2 best supports the argument that Reconstruction policies were harmful to the South? **Response:** The federal government’s involvement led to increased taxes and social unrest. --- **Question 3** What flaw can be found in the reasoning of Passage 2? **Response:** The passage overemphasizes the economic hardships faced by the South without acknowledging the importance of civil rights.