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1 Dec 2025
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The Reconstruction and Gilded Age (1865-1890): AQA History A-Level Notes
Zuhaib Tahir
@zuhaibtahir_jwgy
America's Reconstruction Era (1865-1903)
The American Civil War officially ended in April 1865 when Southern forces surrendered, but the aftermath was staggering. Over 625,000 people had died, and the war cost around $6 billion - an enormous sum for the time. To make matters worse, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated just as the war ended, leaving his successor Andrew Johnson (a Democrat) to handle the massive task of rebuilding the nation.
Understanding the US Constitution is crucial here because it shaped how Reconstruction unfolded. The American government operates through three branches: the Executive (President), Legislature (Congress), and Judicial (Supreme Court). Each branch has different powers designed to balance the others out - this is called the system of "checks and balances".
Johnson's approach to Reconstruction focused on two major issues: how harshly to punish Southern states for leaving the Union, and how to treat African Americans (mainly former slaves) in those states. Johnson wanted states to rejoin the Union quickly and smoothly, without harsh punishment. He believed each state should decide how to treat its African American population.
Key Point: Johnson's lenient approach put him on a collision course with Congress, where most Republicans wanted much tougher consequences for the South.
Congress fought back against Johnson's plans because most members were Republicans - many were Radical Republicans who demanded harsh punishments for Southern states. When Congress rejected Johnson's plans and passed a Civil Rights Act, Johnson vetoed it using his presidential powers. However, Congress overrode his veto in April 1866, demonstrating their power to check the Executive branch.
This Civil Rights Act eventually became the 14th Amendment, granting all African Americans born in the USA full citizenship and legal rights. After Republicans gained a huge majority in Congress in November 1866, they even tried to impeach Johnson - he survived by just one vote! His presidency ended in 1868 when Republican Ulysses S. Grant, the former Union general, won the election.
Unfortunately, Radical Reconstruction ultimately failed. Congress passed four separate Reconstruction Acts and placed Southern states under military rule, but most historians consider this period unsuccessful. African Americans briefly entered politics and held office, but were quickly pushed out, leaving them with a bitter experience of broken promises.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The Reconstruction and Gilded Age (1865-1890): AQA History A-Level Notes
Zuhaib Tahir
@zuhaibtahir_jwgy
After America's devastating Civil War ended in 1865, the nation faced a massive challenge: how to rebuild and reunite a country torn apart by conflict. This period, known as Reconstruction, would determine the fate of millions of formerly enslaved people... Show more
America's Reconstruction Era (1865-1903)
The American Civil War officially ended in April 1865 when Southern forces surrendered, but the aftermath was staggering. Over 625,000 people had died, and the war cost around $6 billion - an enormous sum for the time. To make matters worse, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated just as the war ended, leaving his successor Andrew Johnson (a Democrat) to handle the massive task of rebuilding the nation.
Understanding the US Constitution is crucial here because it shaped how Reconstruction unfolded. The American government operates through three branches: the Executive (President), Legislature (Congress), and Judicial (Supreme Court). Each branch has different powers designed to balance the others out - this is called the system of "checks and balances".
Johnson's approach to Reconstruction focused on two major issues: how harshly to punish Southern states for leaving the Union, and how to treat African Americans (mainly former slaves) in those states. Johnson wanted states to rejoin the Union quickly and smoothly, without harsh punishment. He believed each state should decide how to treat its African American population.
Key Point: Johnson's lenient approach put him on a collision course with Congress, where most Republicans wanted much tougher consequences for the South.
Congress fought back against Johnson's plans because most members were Republicans - many were Radical Republicans who demanded harsh punishments for Southern states. When Congress rejected Johnson's plans and passed a Civil Rights Act, Johnson vetoed it using his presidential powers. However, Congress overrode his veto in April 1866, demonstrating their power to check the Executive branch.
This Civil Rights Act eventually became the 14th Amendment, granting all African Americans born in the USA full citizenship and legal rights. After Republicans gained a huge majority in Congress in November 1866, they even tried to impeach Johnson - he survived by just one vote! His presidency ended in 1868 when Republican Ulysses S. Grant, the former Union general, won the election.
Unfortunately, Radical Reconstruction ultimately failed. Congress passed four separate Reconstruction Acts and placed Southern states under military rule, but most historians consider this period unsuccessful. African Americans briefly entered politics and held office, but were quickly pushed out, leaving them with a bitter experience of broken promises.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
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David K
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Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user