After the Civil War, the United States faced the enormous challenge of reunifying the nation and redefining freedom for millions of formerly enslaved people.

In this episode of The U.S. History Curriculum Companion, we review the Reconstruction Era, examining efforts to rebuild the South and secure rights for African Americans. We’ll discuss the Reconstruction Amendments, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and the struggles faced by freedpeople in a society still resistant to change. We’ll also cover the rise of sharecropping, political conflicts between Radical Republicans and Southern Democrats, and the eventual end of Reconstruction.

This episode is designed to accompany our Reconstruction Era unit in our complete American History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in American History, along with World History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.