The American Civil War ended in April 1865. It was followed by the period known as Reconstruction during which the Southern states gradually returned to the Union. Several factors contributed to the failure of Reconstruction.
It is possible that the thoughtful and diplomatic Abraham Lincoln might have successfully bought the Confederate states back into the Union at the same time as improving the lives of black Americans. However, his assassination made Andrew Johnson president and he proved a key figure in the failure of an effective and positive Reconstruction. Johnson was not personally committed to improving the lives of black Americans and was stubborn and undiplomatic.
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