June ?, 1865
What’s left of america
The devastation of this war is unimaginable. There are 364,000 fatalities from the North, where as the South suffered 260,000 casualties. Yes indeed, it has been a bloody war. The war has destroyed two thirds of the South’s shipping industry, numerous plantations, and one third of the live stock. The country is shockingly dilapidated. Roads, bridges, factories, ports, and buildings lie in ruins. The war has brought devastation to many homes as well. Widows weep, children cry, houses are bare, and families are now left homeless and coping with poverty. Property value has gone down 70% in the South. Will America ever recover from such devastation?
Like President Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan for Reconstruction, President Johnson’s Presidential Reconstruction Plan pardons the southerners who promise to join the Union and abide by its laws. It also permits each state to hold a constitutional convention. Unlike Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan, Johnson’s plan states that, with the promise to refrain from succession, abolish slavery, and pay back the Confederate dept, states could then hold elections to reunite with the Union.
While the war is a major devastation, it also brings victory for the slaves. They are no longer under the wrath of slave traders or slave owners, they are finally free! This drastic victory will take some adjusting for plantation owners, as well as the new free men. Some of the previous slaves are searching for family members that have been sold at a different location, while others are searching for jobs. But they’re not the only ones. Many poor, white families are also looking for jobs. But they might have more of a chance, for 90% of the previous slaves are illiterate. Therefore, many will return to their previous owners, while others will keep hunting for a new job.
Now all we can do is wait in anticipation to see how this all unfolds. Hopefully with a full recovery, America will be able to, once again, rejoice as a united country.
What’s left of america
The devastation of this war is unimaginable. There are 364,000 fatalities from the North, where as the South suffered 260,000 casualties. Yes indeed, it has been a bloody war. The war has destroyed two thirds of the South’s shipping industry, numerous plantations, and one third of the live stock. The country is shockingly dilapidated. Roads, bridges, factories, ports, and buildings lie in ruins. The war has brought devastation to many homes as well. Widows weep, children cry, houses are bare, and families are now left homeless and coping with poverty. Property value has gone down 70% in the South. Will America ever recover from such devastation?
Like President Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan for Reconstruction, President Johnson’s Presidential Reconstruction Plan pardons the southerners who promise to join the Union and abide by its laws. It also permits each state to hold a constitutional convention. Unlike Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan, Johnson’s plan states that, with the promise to refrain from succession, abolish slavery, and pay back the Confederate dept, states could then hold elections to reunite with the Union.
While the war is a major devastation, it also brings victory for the slaves. They are no longer under the wrath of slave traders or slave owners, they are finally free! This drastic victory will take some adjusting for plantation owners, as well as the new free men. Some of the previous slaves are searching for family members that have been sold at a different location, while others are searching for jobs. But they’re not the only ones. Many poor, white families are also looking for jobs. But they might have more of a chance, for 90% of the previous slaves are illiterate. Therefore, many will return to their previous owners, while others will keep hunting for a new job.
Now all we can do is wait in anticipation to see how this all unfolds. Hopefully with a full recovery, America will be able to, once again, rejoice as a united country.
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