What period focused on rebuilding the South after the Civil War?

The Reconstruction Era refers specifically to the period immediately following the Civil War from 1865 to 1877, during which the United States focused on addressing the challenges of reintegrating the Southern states that had seceded and rebuilding the South both physically and socially. This era was marked by significant legislation aimed at providing rights to formerly enslaved people, rebuilding infrastructure, and re-establishing the Southern economy. Key amendments, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, were passed during this time to secure civil rights and voting rights for African Americans.

Additionally, various federal programs were created to assist in the economic recovery of the South, such as the Freedmen's Bureau, which provided food, housing, education, and legal assistance to formerly enslaved individuals. This period was crucial in shaping the social and political landscape of the United States, as it laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements.

In contrast, the other periods mentioned—like the New Deal, which focused on economic recovery during the Great Depression; the Gilded Age, characterized by industrial growth and economic disparity; and the Industrial Revolution, which marked a significant technological and economic transformation—do not specifically pertain to the rebuilding of