The Meaning of ReconstructionAmerica has gone through many hardships and struggles since coming together as a nation involving wars and changes in the political system. Many highly regarded leaders in America have come giving their ideas and foundations to provide a better life for “Americans,” but no other war or political change is more infamous than the Civil War and Reconstruction. Reconstruction began in 1865 and ended in 1877 and to this day it is one of the most debated questions in American history whether Reconstruction was a failure or a success, as well as a dispute over the memory, meaning and end of the war. According to “Major Problems in American History,” David W. Blight of Yale University and Steven Hahn of the University of Pennsylvania take different positions on the meaning of Reconstruction and what caused its end. David W. Blight argues that Reconstruction was a conflict between two uniquely significant, but incompatible, goals that “vyed” for attention with both reconciliation and emancipation. On the other hand, Steven Hahn argues that former slaves and Confederates were willing and prepared to fight for what they believed in, "reflecting a long tradition of Southern violence that had previously supported slavery." Hahn also believes that Reconstruction ended when the North grew tired of the 16-year freedom conflict. While many people are unsure, Hahn's arguments present a more favorable appeal from supporting his anti-Blight argument. The inevitable end of Reconstruction was that the North withdrew federal troops from the South allowing white rule to reign again and proving that time travel exists as freed Africans in the South had once again oppressed their civil, political and economic position. . middle of paper ......fights for African Americans and political rights for the people, his goal was to abolish slavery and he believed that "all men created equal" should defend everyone, at least all who were men. . President Johnson initially proved himself loyal to his radicals by chastising the Confederacy and ensuring there were repercussions for their actions. His amnesty plan to restore the Southern states was also much harsher than Lincoln's. Johnson's sanctions deprived Confederate officers, people of high power, and anyone possessing valuable property could be subject to confiscation. The goal was to shift political power to the South and reward it to freed Southern blacks and whites who had remained neutral during the war. Hahn states in his article that: “During Reconstruction, black men held political offices in every state of the former Confederacy”