Thesis ReviewTake 2

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Here is an exercise that might help you develop your thesis. On a separate sheet of paper, complete the following sentences:

• (1) Dear Reader: I want to convince you that… [This is a hypothesis]

• Reconstruction was a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves.

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• (2) The main reasons why you should believe me are that. . . .

[This is a summary of your evidence and logic.]

• Gov’t Failed to enforce Amendments• Limited Gov’t Aid to AA’s (FB)• S. State Black Codes• S. State Redeemer Gov’ts• Recon. Ended with bad compromise• Segregation Era ensued

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• (3) You should care about my thesis because…[This provides the seeds of your conclusion, and

checks the significance of your thesis.]

• Limited AA’s Rights• Limited AA’s Socio-Economic Opportunities• AA’s Subjected to violence and oppression• Could not thrive in US society• Ultimately led to 100 years of segregation

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Do I answer the question?

• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose?

• Is my thesis statement specific enough?

• Does my thesis pass the "So what?" test?

• Does my thesis pass the “How and Why” test?

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Reconstruction failed to protect the rights of newly freed people in the USA.

• Total failure???• Anything good happen???• Time frame???• So what???• How / Why???

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Despite some early successes, Reconstruction ultimately failed to protect the rights of newly freed people in the USA, who continued to suffer in the South well after the Civil War was over.

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Reconstruction failed to protect the rights of newly freed people in the USA as the federal government did not enforce its own laws, did not provide adequate support to freedmen, and allowed Southern States to pass subversive legislation.

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Reconstruction failed to protect the rights of newly freed people in the USA as the federal government failed to enforce its laws, did not create or sustain adequate aid programs, and allowed Southern States to pass subversive legislation limiting African American rights.

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Reconstruction failed to protect the rights of newly freed people in the USA. As the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were ultimately not enforced by the federal government, Southern States passed subversive state laws towards African Americans, which limited their ability to thrive in American society.

To what extent was Reconstruction a failure in protecting the rights of newly freed slaves?

• Despite the fact that the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were passed by Congress during Reconstruction, they ultimately were not enforced by the federal government, and Reconstruction thus failed to protect the rights of newly freed people in the USA. Limited government aid programs were allowed to expire while Southern States passed subversive state laws towards African Americans, which limited their ability to thrive in American society.