The most consequential failure in American history

Review of Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877 by Eric Foner

Reconstruction was an immensely complex task: the South was supposed to be rebuilt but also submit to the transformation of its society and economy to rid itself of the legacy of slavery, as imposed by the North. Slaves had never had a chance to grow into the habits and customs of a free market economy. Meanwhile, their erstwhile owners believed they we…