[DoodleDawg]

Please re-read the question. Please tell me of another instance where the losing side of a rebellion suffered less and was incorporated back into the government as fast as the rebellious U.S. states were.

I think it would have been better if Lincoln had lived. Johnson was rabid.

Johnson was inept, it was the Republicans in Congress who were rabid. And in some ways who could blame them? Having spent four years fighting a bloody rebellion that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands I can understand why the Republicans objected to those same people wanting to resume their seats in government and conditions as close to slavery as possible as if nothing had happened. Reconstruction was harsh. It went overboard in some instances. But it was still short. All the southern states had had their congressional representation restored within four years. All restrictions were off within 10.

[miss marmelstein]

I’m talking about the failure of the North to rebuild the infrastructure of the South which plunged it into poverty, ill health and bitterness. Whether “rebellion” or war, it’s been shown that helping your former enemies is a winning strategy. I understand the bitterness on both sides but pragmatism over all.