The Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War was significant as it aimed to rebuild the nation and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. Lasting from 1865 to 1877, this period involved significant constitutional amendments—namely the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments—that abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and protected voting rights for African Americans. However, Reconstruction was met with substantial resistance, leading to systemic racism and the rise of Jim Crow laws. The era's challenges and successes laid critical groundwork for the civil rights movement and highlighted ongoing struggles for equality and justice in American society.