Which term describes the period of dramatic social and political change in the United States from the 1860s to the 1870s?

The period of dramatic social and political change in the United States from the 1860s to the 1870s is known as the Reconstruction Era. This time frame followed the Civil War and was characterized by efforts to integrate formerly enslaved people into society and rebuild the Southern states. The federal government implemented a series of amendments and laws aimed at securing civil rights for African Americans, including the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law, and the 15th Amendment, which aimed to secure voting rights regardless of race.

Reconstruction also involved significant political changes, such as the introduction of new state governments in the South and the presence of federal troops to maintain order and protect the rights of newly freed individuals. The era saw both advancements and deep-seated resistance, leading to significant tensions that eventually culminated in the end of military Reconstruction and the establishment of Jim Crow laws in the following decades.

The other terms refer to very different periods in American history. The Progressive Era took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on social reform and addressing issues caused by industrialization. The Colonial Period refers to the time before American independence when the land was