The decade that followed the American Civile war tumultuous as the efforts to impose Union control on the already defeated Southern states would face a fierce backlash from vigilante and terrorist organizations that emerged (Corbett et al., 2017). The period of reconstruction was one of the most controversial and turbulent eras in American history, beginning in 1865 and ending in 1877. During this period, attempts were made to redress the inequalities that had been brought about by slavery as well as solving the problems of readmitting the 11 states that had seceded, back to the Union (Foner, 2020). The journey towards Reconstruction began during the civil war when in 1863, President Lincoln issued the Ten Percent Plan. This was the Proclamation for Amnesty and Reconstruction that allowed a full pardon and restoration of property for those engaged in the rebellion except for the military leaders and highest confederate officials (History.com, 2020). It also paved way for the formation of a new state government where 10 percent of eligible voters had taken an oath of allegiance to the United States. Also, the Southern states that were readmitted to the Union in this fashion were encouraged to enact plans to deal with the freed slaves without compromising their freedom. While this was an easy plan for the Southerners to accept, the