A Level History - America - Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Radical Reconstruction began in 1867, marking a significant shift in how the United States approached the integration of the Southern states following the Civil War. This period was characterized by a more aggressive federal policy aimed at enforcing civil rights and ensuring the political participation of newly freed African Americans.

In 1867, the Reconstruction Act was passed, which laid the groundwork for the process of rebuilding the South by dividing it into military districts and establishing requirements for re-admittance into the Union. This involved registering voters, many of whom were newly freed African Americans, to create a new political environment and push for a more equitable society. The legislation passed during this year solidified the commitment of the Radical Republicans to transform Southern society fundamentally and to protect the rights of former slaves through federal intervention.

The other years listed either precede the onset of Radical Reconstruction or relate to its developments, but 1867 specifically marks the formal initiation of these Radical policies and the more assertive governmental stance toward Reconstruction.