Second Reconstruction Research Paper

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Pages: 3

The Civil Rights movement in the United States during the years 1950 and 1960 were vital in the fight against racial injustices. It is often referred to as the “second reconstruction” in American history, and it earned this title by challenging the racial discrimination that persisted throughout the nation. The first reconstruction called for the writing of 3 new amendments within the Constitution that permanently abolished slavery, allowed all men to vote, defined birthrights of citizens, and guaranteed due process and equal protection under the law. This took huge strides in fighting the racial issues in the United States. However, it did not solve every discriminatory action, which called for a second reconstruction during the Civil Rights movement.

On the surface, the connection between the Civil Rights movement and a second reconstruction is very clear. They both involved dismantling the racial system within the nation and fought against oppression. Reconstruction had the final goal of integrating African Americans into American society without race becoming an issue: thus,
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The first reconstruction heavily relied on the Freedman’s Bureau and the rise of African American government officials. Likewise, the Civil Rights movement worked with the NCAAP and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, both of which held activism protests peacefully to achieve their goals. All the groups listed above used strategies like boycotts, sit-ins, marches to raise awareness of racial discrimination and injustices. The Civil Rights movement had protests such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, to amplify their goals and issues to the public. Both the Civil Rights movement and reconstruction relied on groups to stage protests to call attention to their issues, the issues they had in common, therefore the Civil Rights movement could be considered a “second