The Reconstruction Era, which followed the American Civil War (1865–1877), was marked by significant but challenging efforts to rebuild the United States and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. The period saw the introduction of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, aimed at abolishing slavery, granting citizenship, and securing voting rights for African Americans. However, the era faced fierce resistance from Southern whites and the establishment of discriminatory laws like Black Codes and later Jim Crow laws, leading to systemic racism. Ultimately, Reconstruction ended in compromise, leading to a withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the establishment of segregation, delaying true equality for decades.