Context: Reconstruction aroused violent controversy over the constitutional powers and over the status of the black ex-slaves. Northern Democrats believed the Constitution strictly limited federal power, anticipated that most Southern whites would vote Democratic, and had little sympathy for black sufferings. On the other hand, most Republicans felt that blacks were entitled to fundamental human rights, and many hoped Southern Republicanism could be built with the help of black support. Reconstruction did open the door …showed first 75 words of 1141 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1141 total…