What term describes the period after the Civil War when Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union?

The term that describes the period after the Civil War when Southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union is Reconstruction. This era, which lasted from 1865 to 1877, was characterized by efforts to rebuild the South, integrate formerly enslaved persons into society, and ensure civil rights.

During Reconstruction, the federal government implemented policies aimed at transforming Southern society, including the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau, which provided assistance to the newly freed African Americans. Additionally, several amendments were passed to guarantee rights and protections for these populations, particularly the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship rights, and protected voting rights, respectively.

This comprehensive approach to reintegration faced significant resistance and challenges, including the rise of white supremacist groups and the eventual implementation of Jim Crow laws that reinforced racial segregation and discrimination. Understanding this period is crucial, as it laid the groundwork for ongoing civil rights struggles in the United States.