There is still contention over whether Reconstruction was a misguided scheme that collapsed, or an experiment that lacked authority. A period marked by tremendous controversy, the government faced issues such: the extent of the constitutional powers of the federal government to intervene in a state's affairs, whether the victors should try to change the South fundamentally, and the status of the black ex-slaves, or freedmen. Not only would these consequential issues spark struggles between political …showed first 75 words of 987 total…

…showed last 75 words of 987 total…or its distribution of wealth and power, which disadvantaged African-Americans at that period of time. Yet it is considered to be the foundation of many important events that would take place in the future and it showed an actual desire for change on behalf of the government. Reconstruction left significant legacies, including the 14th and 15th amendments, which remain as a symbol of democratic idealism and would be used 100 years later to protect minority rights.