The Reconstruction period following the Civil War profoundly impacted American society. Enacted to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society, it saw significant legislative efforts, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which aimed to abolish slavery, grant citizenship rights, and protect voting rights for African Americans. However, the era was also marked by violent backlash from white supremacist groups and the establishment of Jim Crow laws, which institutionalized racial segregation. The social changes initiated during Reconstruction laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements, revealing both progress and persistent challenges that would continue to shape American society for generations.