| Dates | circa 1865–1877 |
| Impacts | Better integration of emancipated people • Rapid economic progress • Improved race relations • More equitable society |
| Main goal | Racial justice and equality |
| Key events | Emancipation • Economic support • Political support • Reparations • Education • Military protection |
| Key figures | Ulysses S. Grant • Abraham Lincoln (alternate timeline) |
| Timeline era | Alternate Timeline, Reconstruction Era |
| Major legislation | Alternate Emancipation Proclamation • Civil Rights Act (alternate timeline) • Freedmen's Bureau Act (alternate timeline) |
The Reconstruction Era in this alternate timeline represents a much more ambitious pursuit of racial justice and equality than in our historical reality. Unlike the previous reconstructions focused primarily on reintegrating Confederate states into the Union, this Reconstruction prioritized equity and justice for the newly freed enslaved people in these areas.
Emancipation of Slaves and Support: The emancipation of slaves was the first step towards justice. In this timeline, freed men enslaved prior to emancipation received extensive economic and political support directly from the federal government. This included voting rights, land grants, and financial support to help establish independent businesses and farms.
Reparations: Reparations were paid to formerly enslaved people and their families, based on the labor they performed during slavery. Such payments acknowledged the injustice done to them and helped compensate for the immense wealth created by their unpaid labor.
Education and Literacy: Freedmen and women were given full access to education and literacy training. The federal government established schools and allocated funding for the education of African Americans across the South. As a result, they gained access to the benefits of education, including better economic prospects and upward mobility.
Protection from Violence: The federal government dispatched federal troops to protect African Americans from white supremacist violence. Federal marshals were also sent to help maintain law and order, and to hold accountable those who committed crimes against African Americans. This military presence helped establish a safer, more just environment for emancipated people and their descendants.
The consequences of such an ambitious Reconstruction that focused on justice and equity produced a more egalitarian society in the United States. Accelerated improvements in economic and social conditions for African Americans acted as a testament to hope and progress. The repercussions of this alternate history extend far beyond the Reconstruction Era, helping to shape a more just and unified future for American society.
