Question

which of these historians would most likely agree with the statement that the reconstructions failures resulted from the federal government not going far enough to protect the rights of american citizens?

a.) john w. burgess

b.) eric foner

c.) claude g. bowers

d.) william a. dunning

Explanation:

Identify the historiographical perspectives

The question asks which historian would argue that Reconstruction failed because the federal government did not go far enough to protect the rights of American citizens (specifically newly freed African Americans). This represents a modern, revisionist, or post-revisionist historical perspective on Reconstruction.

Analyze the Dunning School historians

John W. Burgess, William A. Dunning, and Claude G. Bowers are prominent representatives of the "Dunning School" of historiography (or popularizers of its narrative, in the case of Bowers). The Dunning School, dominant in the early 20th century, viewed Reconstruction as a tragic mistake characterized by corrupt "carpetbaggers," "scalawags," and the premature enfranchisement of African Americans. They argued that the federal government went too far and was too oppressive toward the white South. Therefore, options (a), (c), and (d) can be eliminated.

Analyze the revisionist perspective

Southern Reconstruction Context and Congressional Reconstruction are understood in modern scholarship through revisionist historians who challenged the Dunning School. Eric Foner is the preeminent modern historian of Reconstruction. In his seminal work, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877, Foner argues that Reconstruction was a noble but incomplete effort. He posits that its ultimate failure to secure racial equality resulted from a lack of sustained federal commitment, the premature withdrawal of federal troops, and the failure to fully protect the civil and political rights of Black citizens against Southern white supremacist violence.

Match the historian to the statement

Eric Foner's thesis directly aligns with the statement that Reconstruction's failures resulted from the federal government not going far enough to protect the rights of American citizens.

Answer:

• (a.) John W. Burgess
• (b.) Eric Foner (Correct answer)
• (c.) Claude G. Bowers
• (d.) William A. Dunning